, June 11 -- A range of everyday products - from mid-range passenger cars and cigarettes to washing machines and imported paper - are likely to become more expensive as Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday proposed higher taxes, duties and regulatory charges on various imports and consumer goods in the national budget for fiscal year 2026-27.

In a bid to curb the use of fossil fuel-powered vehicles and promote electric alternatives, the minister in his budget speech proposed raising the overall tax burden on imported internal combustion (IC) engine cars with 1200 to 1600cc capacity from the existing 132.36 percent to 155.88 percent, a significant jump that industry insiders say will push up showroom prices for popula...