Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the apex tourism association of the tourism sector, demanded withdrawal of the 15 percent value added tax, imposed on the tourism sector in the budget announced on Thursday.

Mohammed Rafeuzzaman, president of TOAB came up with the demand in a meeting with the President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam, after the budget announcement, said a press release issued on Saturday.

Rafeuzzaman said "We do not have the opportunity to take VAT from any tourist that we operate. Because the hotels we stay in are subsidized by the government on food and accommodation. So if VAT is imposed separately on us, the tourism sector and the tour operator sector will suffer. That is why we strongly demand the government to withdraw the ban on this sector."

However, TOAB is taking a more detailed program to demand the withdrawal of VAT.