Tk 45cr per month for next 6 months: Amusement parks appeal to govt

Amusement parks across the country have begun to feel the sting of the shutdown due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, especially since this is usually peak season for them.

Highlighting the importance of the parks to the economy, Bangladesh Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (BAAPA) President Shahriar Kamal called upon the government to provide assistance and incentives to the sector.

As per the directives of the government, BAAPA's associated parks are closed due to the shutdown, but those are incurring huge losses.

Summer and Eid are usually the peak times for the industry, but this year it is not the same.

The managements of the parks are already worried about paying salaries and wages to their employees and staffers.

Mentioning that the tourism and amusement park sector has been playing an important role in the country's development by generating huge revenues besides creating employment for a large population, Shahriar Kamal gave a set of proposals to the government to help the ailing sector.

The proposal includes: providing financial assistance of Tk 45 crore per month for six months; lower VAT, supplementary duty and other tax waiver for the next two years; allow duty free import of machinery for construction of new buildings, addition to various rides or installation of the new infrastructures and loans at 1% interest rate.