The National Assembly on Monday unanimously approved the government’s much-needed Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023 or ‘mini-budget’. This move was mandatory for seeking a $1.1 billion tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. The bill increases sales tax from 17 to 25 percent on imports ranging from cars and household appliances to chocolates and cosmetics. A general sales tax was raised from 17% to 18%.
