The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The viewing of satellite TV channels will be costlier as the government proposes to enhance the existing rate of supplementary duty from 15 percent to 35 percent for the satellite channel distributors.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam in his budget speech said the local satellite TV channels are subject to payment of 15 percent VAT on the commercials telecast on their channels whereas the foreign TV channels pay no VAT on commercials that are telecast in Bangladesh.

"Although these commercials are not directly targeted towards our local consumers, but they indirectly help creating import demands for commodities shown on these commercials."