Bangladesh proposes tax exemption in power imports
Bangladesh has proposed exemption from all types of CDs, taxes and VAT on power exports and power imports from Bangladesh to India. Exemption from financial implications due to political reasons or changes in Indian law is reviewed.
The discussions took place at the 19th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee on Cooperation in the Power Sector at a hotel in Dhaka on Saturday (January 23). The Power Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman led Bangladesh delegation while Sanjeev Nandan Sahai, Power Secretary of India led the Indian delegation.
The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing activities related to mutual cooperation in the power sector between Bangladesh and India.
The meeting reviewed the current status of power import through Bheramara and Bahrarampur interconnection and highlighted the progress of construction of its 2nd transmission line. At this time the implementation of the proposed Katihar-Parbatipur-Baranagar 765 KV transmission line was reviewed.
The meeting of the steering committee discussed in detail the progress of import of hydropower generated in Nepal by GMR from Nepal through India and joint investment of Bangladesh, India and Bhutan in hydropower projects in Bhutan.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the 1320 MW Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant under construction at Rampal. Expressing satisfaction over the progress made in the Maitri Super Thermal project despite the global Corona pandemic, the meeting hoped that Bangladesh-India cooperation in the power sector would continue to grow in the future.
Earlier, the 19th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Working Group was held at the same place on January 21.
The 18th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee and the Joint Working Group on Cooperation in the Power Sector was held in India in March last year. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held in India in July.