Dhaka, Aug. 24 -- The Bangladesh Auto Biscuits and Bread Manufacturers Association (BABBMA) has called the imposition of an additional VAT on bread and biscuits - a staple food for laborers and students - "a national embarrassment."

At a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Saturday Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, the association's president, alleged, "The government has upheld the VAT on food for ordinary people, ignoring reports from the World Bank, research findings, and criticism from economists.

"At the same time, VAT has been withdrawn from supermarkets. Why is there a tax on the bread of the poor but a tax exemption for the rich? If necessary, the government should directly increase the tax on companies, ...