UNB, Dhaka :
Speakers at an opinion exchange meeting on tax on solar modules and its impact on the government’s energy programme have urged the policymakers to set a long term policy with plan for development of the renewable energy sector. They also suggested adopting a concrete policy where both local manufacturers and importers of solar modules could be encouraged to move forward the government’s renewable energy programme.
Institute of Energy, University of Dhaka (IEUD) organised the meeting at the Khandaker Mokarram Hossain Auditoriumon Saturdaywith IEUD director Prof Saiful Haque in the chair. Addressing the meeting, parliament member Nahim Razzak said the country still lacks coordination among the stakeholders working in renewable energy sector.
He said the momentum in the solar programme may be impeded due to the newly announced 10 percent duty on solar module imports. “The local manufacturers received incentives in capital investment, not for working capital. But they crucially need incentives for working capital. So, the financial structure should be restructured,” he added. Former chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mazid said there should be a long term policy before announcing any change in duty structure of any product that the stakeholders could take preparation to adjust with the change.
He said once the government imposes a duty on any product, it could not withdraw it anyway. Because, it impacts the revenue collection plan. Supporting the imposition of 10 percent import duty on solar modules, President of Bangladesh Solar Module Manufacturers Association Munawar Moin said this would help flourish the local manufacturing industries. He said the local solar manufacturers are fully capable of meeting the full demand of the local market. Engineer Ansar Uddin said local entrepreneurs have set up 9 industries to manufacture the solar system which could meet more than the local demands.
Speakers at an opinion exchange meeting on tax on solar modules and its impact on the government’s energy programme have urged the policymakers to set a long term policy with plan for development of the renewable energy sector. They also suggested adopting a concrete policy where both local manufacturers and importers of solar modules could be encouraged to move forward the government’s renewable energy programme.
Institute of Energy, University of Dhaka (IEUD) organised the meeting at the Khandaker Mokarram Hossain Auditoriumon Saturdaywith IEUD director Prof Saiful Haque in the chair. Addressing the meeting, parliament member Nahim Razzak said the country still lacks coordination among the stakeholders working in renewable energy sector.
He said the momentum in the solar programme may be impeded due to the newly announced 10 percent duty on solar module imports. “The local manufacturers received incentives in capital investment, not for working capital. But they crucially need incentives for working capital. So, the financial structure should be restructured,” he added. Former chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mazid said there should be a long term policy before announcing any change in duty structure of any product that the stakeholders could take preparation to adjust with the change.
He said once the government imposes a duty on any product, it could not withdraw it anyway. Because, it impacts the revenue collection plan. Supporting the imposition of 10 percent import duty on solar modules, President of Bangladesh Solar Module Manufacturers Association Munawar Moin said this would help flourish the local manufacturing industries. He said the local solar manufacturers are fully capable of meeting the full demand of the local market. Engineer Ansar Uddin said local entrepreneurs have set up 9 industries to manufacture the solar system which could meet more than the local demands.
