customs and trade

The customs and trade tag covers discussion of Bangladesh’s proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget and its attempt to attract semiconductor design, testing, and packaging activity. The policy would exempt certain raw materials from several taxes through June 30, 2031, while retaining a 1 percent import duty. The featured analysis examines whether customs relief can meaningfully support a domestic chip industry, noting that tax incentives alone are unlikely to create a competitive supply chain. It highlights the broader requirements of industrial development, including trust, intellectual property protection, technical skills, and a credible long-term strategy for expanding Bangladesh’s small semiconductor export niche.