The government is considering exemption of all related duties excepting VAT on the import of raw materials for producing face shields locally.
Officials said the initiative has been made to encourage the production of such items to be used as a safety gear against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, a good number of people use the shield to protect them from COVID-19 infection as the number of patients continues to rise in Bangladesh, they added.
Local producers have to pay higher duties and taxes on the import of raw materials of face shield.
The government imposes 58.60-per cent and 48-per cent total tax incidence on the import of acrylic polymer and pet film respectively, said a Bangladesh trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) source.
Currently, importers concerned waived all duties free facility for the import of readymade face shield.
To this effect, the BTTC has requested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take required steps in this connection.
It has given the exemption proposal on the import of raw material for shield makers aiming at sufficient supply of such protective tool to the people at affordable prices.
A face shield, an item of personal protective equipment, it protects the wearer's entire face from flying virus and road debris, chemical splashes or potentially infectious materials.
A privately-owned company, Step Media Limited, has started production of face shield in locally.
Its production capacity is 80,000 to 0.1 million in a single day and it is supplying such shields to different agencies, including government and private, added the BTCC.
The factory produces two types of face shields-plastic and acrylic polymer, it said.
Plastic face shield is widely used by the public for protection from coronavirus.
On the other hand, acrylic polymer shield is used by medical staffs like doctor, nurse and others involved in treating COVID-19 cases.
The private entity is producing face shield according to the no objection certificate of heath service division and abide by the guideline of world Health Organisation.
When asked, BTTC member (TRD) Sha Md Abu Raihan Alberuni said, "We've submitted a proposal to the NBR seeking exemption of duties on raw material imports for local makers of face shields.
The move is mainly due to encourage the domestic makers and to supply the covering at reasonable prices in the local market.
An NBR source said a proposal for seeking exemption of all related import duties for manufacturing the shields locally has recently been received.
He, however, said, "We're looking into the matter."
