Bangladesh’s electronics and technology manufacturing sector, once advancing toward self-sufficiency through local investment and innovation, is now facing severe challenges due to recent tariff policies and regulatory inconsistencies. Industry stakeholders report that while import duties on certain finished components have been lifted, raw materials for local production are subject to high tariffs, making imports more profitable than domestic manufacturing. This shift threatens both local and foreign investment and risks undermining national export targets.

According to data, the domestic electronics and ICT market reached USD 9.44 billion in 2026, growing at an average of 15 percent annually, with local brands dominating major product segments. However, the National Board of Revenue’s revised SRO No. 274 has removed supplementary duties on imported parts already produced locally, while raw material imports face tariffs of 15–45 percent. Experts warn that this imbalance could close backward linkage industries and endanger millions of jobs tied to the sector.

Industry leaders and analysts urge the government to restore protective tariffs on locally produced parts, reduce raw material duties, and ensure fair treatment of local brands in public procurement to safeguard the sector’s sustainability.