Redesign experts call for tax reductions to stimulate industry expansion
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The Interior Designers Association of Bangladesh (IDAB) recently held a press conference to address the significant challenges facing the interior design industry in the country. The event, held on July 26, 2021, at the Economic Reporters' Forum, was addressed by Vice President (Architect) Sajib Jahan and Chief Adviser Shafiul Islam.
The interior design sector in Bangladesh is currently grappling with high taxation and import duties, policy gaps, a lack of formal education infrastructure, and persistent economic barriers. According to IDAB representatives, the sector suffers from a 15% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on consultancy services and high import duties on essential materials, increasing costs by 30-40% due to price manipulation by domestic syndicates and foreign exchange shortages.
Moreover, no public university in Bangladesh offers dedicated academic programs in interior design, causing a skills gap. This lack of formal education infrastructure, combined with the absence of a national policy, often results in interior designers being excluded from public infrastructure and large-scale development projects.
Saiful Islam Shoron, acting president of IDAB, emphasised that interior design is no longer a luxury but an essential part of modern living. He called for urgent reductions in VAT and import duties, as well as comprehensive policy support to unlock the industry's potential.
In an effort to address these issues, IDAB is taking several steps. They are advocating for tax cuts and reduced import duties to lower costs and boost sector growth. They are also calling for formal recognition of interior design professionals and inclusion of interior designers in national SME development frameworks, helping integrate them into larger projects and economic plans.
IDAB is promoting public-private collaboration to develop skilled workforce and education infrastructure. They are also proposing initiatives like the “IDAB Excellence in Interior Design Award” to encourage innovation and establish best practices within the industry.
Furthermore, IDAB is urging government support through fiscal and regulatory measures. They believe that such support is necessary to unlock the sector's potential and acknowledge interior design as essential to modern living rather than a luxury.
The interior design industry in Bangladesh encompasses around 10,000 firms and hundreds of thousands of professionals. The sector significantly contributes to employment and the national economy. Despite these challenges, IDAB remains optimistic about the future of the industry and is committed to creating a more supportive economic, educational, and policy environment to enhance its competitiveness and sustainability.
Shafiul Islam, chief adviser of IDAB, stated that interior design is not just about aesthetics - it's about creating healthy, functional spaces. IDAB unveiled a strategic roadmap for sectoral development, aiming to address the current challenges and pave the way for a prosperous future for the interior design industry in Bangladesh.
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- The interior design industry in Bangladesh, a significant contributor to employment and the national economy, is currently in need of an improvement in lifestyle through policy changes, such as reducing taxation and import duties, and promoting formal education and recognition of interior designers to create healthy and functional spaces.
- The Interior Designers Association of Bangladesh (IDAB) believes that the future of the home-and-garden sector lies in creating a more supportive economy, education system, and policy environment, which will lead to increased competitiveness and sustainability while enhancing modern living and the overall lifestyle of the country.
