, May 10 -- Restaurant owners in Bangladesh have urged the government to reduce Value-Added Tax (VAT), resume new pipeline gas connections and end 'bureaucratic harassment' by regulatory agencies to protect the industry from mounting economic instability.

Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association (BROA) made the demand at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Sunday, ahead of the national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.

The association also placed an 11-point demand including maintaining VAT and tax rates at 'tolerable levels' and introducing a one-stop service for licenses and permits.

While the VAT on the sector was previously reduced from 15 percent to 5 percent following discussions with the National Board of...