VAT (value added tax) on the import of commodities like sugar, chickpea, and edible oil has been withdrawn, said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday. He announced this while briefing reporters after two consecutive meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase. Read:Two traders fined Tk 1.5 lakh for soyabean oil hoarding in Bagerhat The minister said VAT on the import of these commodities has been withdrawn as their consumption is higher during the Holy Ramadan. “Considering the Holy Ramadan, we took the decision to withdraw the VAT for a temporary period,” he said.  “The decision has been taken so that prices of the essentials can be kept at a tolerable level,” he added. He, however, did not give any detail of the product lists from which the VAT has been withdrawn. Meanwhile, the public relations officer of the Finance Ministry said that 15 per cent tax at production level and 5 per cent tax at retail level have been withdrawn from edible oil.