Dhaka, June 11 -- The government has granted tax exemptions on the import of pharmaceutical raw materials, including nine ingredients used in the production of cancer medicines.

The budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year was presented in parliament at 3pm on Thursday.

The budget proposal says tax rebate facilities have been extended to the import of nine raw materials used in manufacturing cancer drugs.

"To make the country capable of producing affordable cancer medicines and achieve greater self-reliance, nine additional ingredients have been included in the existing concessional duty facility for importing raw materials," the proposal said.

"It has been proposed that import duty and VAT on these items be reduced to zero percent."

The b...