The essential commodities in Bangladesh are costing higher than that of other South Asian neighbours, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
According to the findings of a research, the price of half a kilogram of bread is Tk62 in Bangladesh, highest in the South Asia region.
Whereas, half a kg of bread cost Tk45 in Pakistan and Tk48 in India and Nepal. Even the cost of bread in Sri Lanka (Tk50) is substantially lower than that in Bangladesh, added the CPD.
The think tank said that the consumers in Bangladesh have to pay Tk684 for 1kg beef, highest in the region and substantially above the global average of Tk549.
The CPD report said that a kilogram of beef costs Tk375 per kg in Pakistan, around half of Bangladesh’s Tk684. Also, beef costs Tk580 per kg in India, Tk465 per kg in Nepal and Tk545 per kg in Sri Lanka.
The think-tank disclosed data during a press conference titled “Slowdown in global economy and challenges for Bangladesh: How to tackle?” held in the organisation’s office in the capital on Thursday.
CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun said that several necessities, whether they are produced locally or imported from a more developed country, are more costly in Bangladesh than in other developing or developed nations.
The poor and low-income populations in the country are facing hardships due to ongoing inflationary pressure, she added.
She recommended removal of advance income tax (AIT), advance tax (AT) and regulatory duty (RD) on all imported essential food items to help people manage their livelihood.
She also observed that the Minimum Wage Board should consider increasing the minimum wages in all industries so that workers earning minimum wages may at least afford basic food.
