Sangsad Bhaban: Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain on Monday put emphasis on reducing the duties on liquor in the country to attract more foreigners for the sake of flourishing tourism.

‘The foreigners do not like the rate of the liquor that they are paying in the bars,’ he said.

The minister said this while participating in the general discussion on budget for the 2018-19 fiscal in the Parliament.

He also requested the government to increase the licensed bars of the country, reports the UNB.

‘Currently there are 96 bars in the country that have government license,’ he said.

In this connection he said that if any one goes to Gulshan and Banani areas of the capital city, he/she will find so many restaurants which are serving liquor.

‘If you go there for dinner, if you ask for anything, any brand of drinks, they will serve you,’ he said.

But, the minister said, these restaurants do not pay the regular taxes to the government exchequer.

‘Give them legal license those who are serving these,’ he said.

In this regard he requested to take applicable taxes from these bars in the national exchequer.

The Housing and Public Works Minister also requested the government to reduce the proposed registration tax on flat for boosting up the real estate sector of the country.

‘Make it 7 percent for flat registration,’ he suggested.