Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has raised the price of gold in the domestic market by a significant margin, fixing the price of 22-karat gold at Tk 232,930 per bhori, including VAT, with an increase of Tk 9,856.
The new price came into effect from 10 am on Thursday, according to a notification issued by the association.
Bajus said the decision was taken in line with the rising price of pure gold in the local market, which prompted the overall price adjustment.
Under the new rate, 21-karat gold will now cost Tk 222,491 per bhori, 18-karat gold Tk 191,056 per bhori, and traditional gold Tk 156,064 per bhori, all inclusive of VAT, the notification said.
The revised prices will remain effective at all jewellery outlets until further notice, Bajus said, adding that making charges will apply separately depending on the design of the ornament.
Since VAT is already included in the sale price of gold and silver jewellery, it cannot be collected separately from customers, the association said.
The existing Bajus rules for exchange and purchase of ornaments, excluding specified VAT, making charges and stone costs, will remain unchanged.
The previous adjustment was made on July 31, when the price of 22-karat gold was increased by Tk 2,216 per bhori to Tk 223,074, including VAT.
At the time, 21-karat gold was priced at Tk 213,043 per bhori, 18-karat at Tk 182,950, and traditional gold at Tk 149,474 per bhori, effective from 10:30 am that day.
With Thursday's revision, the price of gold has been adjusted 98 times so far this year in the domestic market, with 48 upward revisions, 49 downward revisions, and one VAT-related adjustment, according to Bajus data.
Alongside gold, the price of silver was also raised. The price of 22-karat silver was increased by Tk 292 per bhori to Tk 4,899, including VAT.
The price of 21-karat silver was set at Tk 4,666 per bhori, 18-karat at Tk 4,024, and traditional silver at Tk 3,033 per bhori.
So far this year, the price of silver has been adjusted 61 times, with 31 increases and 30 decreases, Bajus said.