Bangladesh authorities are considering a tax waiver for the import of four used rowing boats offered by an Indian sports club, as the country’s rowing federation struggles with equipment shortages and rising import costs.
Officials at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said the Kolkata Rowing Club has proposed donating the boats to the Bangladesh Rowing Federation for athlete training and competition preparation.
The federation argues the boats could help improve training standards for national and international events at a time when Bangladesh faces a shortage of quality rowing equipment.
Importing the boats under existing rules would trigger a combined tax burden of 61.80 per cent, including 25 per cent customs duty, 15 per cent value-added tax (VAT), 5 per cent advance income tax, 3 per cent regulatory duty and 7.50 per cent advance tax.
Citing financial constraints, the Bangladesh Rowing Federation requested the Ministry of Youth and Sports to seek exemption from the duties and taxes.
Following the request, the ministry sent a letter to NBR asking for a waiver of the applicable taxes, officials said.
However, officials familiar with the process said no formal technical assessment has yet been conducted to verify the federation’s claims regarding the condition and usability of the boats.
Responding to queries, Ministry of Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam said the federation is directly handling the matter.
“If they are able to use the equipment, they will do so,” he said.
On the ministry’s role in recommending tax exemptions, he added, “We extend support when federations seek assistance. It is part of routine procedures.”
Federation officials said Bangladesh has long struggled with limited access to competitive rowing equipment, affecting regular athlete training and development.
Bangladesh Rowing Federation General Secretary Maksud Alam said federation officials reviewed photographs and videos of the boats and found no visible major damage.
“Still, I will visit Kolkata to inspect them in person,” he said.
He added that the federation is also exploring the possibility of manufacturing similar rowing boats locally to reduce dependence on imports.
