The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) has called on the government to extend customs duty exemptions on solar equipment and to lengthen project implementation deadlines to maintain momentum in the renewable energy sector. The appeal was made during a press conference in Dhaka on Tuesday, following a visit by an Australian clean-energy delegation from October 24 to 27.

BSREA President Mostafa Al Mahmud emphasized that the current six-month period for the 1% customs duty concession on solar imports is insufficient. He noted that arranging financing, securing necessary approvals, procuring equipment, and completing installation typically requires more time. As a result, the brief validity of the concession may discourage investment and slow project progress.

Al Mahmud urged the government to adopt a longer-term approach by extending the concession’s duration and creating a stable, predictable tax and duty policy. Such measures, he argued, would provide greater certainty for investors and encourage continued growth in Bangladesh's renewable energy sector.

The association’s recommendations come amid ongoing efforts to expand clean energy infrastructure in Bangladesh, reflecting the sector’s increasing importance as the country seeks to meet its energy needs sustainably. Without timely policy adjustments, BSREA warns that short-term incentives and regulatory unpredictability could undermine investor confidence and jeopardize planned projects.

The Australian delegation's visit underscored international interest in Bangladesh’s renewable energy market, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and investment. The BSREA’s call for longer duty relief and extended deadlines aims to align domestic policies with the practicalities of project development and financing, ensuring the sector’s long-term viability.