Housing and Public Works Minister Engr Mosharraf Hossain today suggested cutting down customs duty on liquor for the sake of flourishing tourism in the country.

Speaking at a general discussion on the proposed budget for fiscal 2018-19, the minister said it will attract the tourists and would give a boost to the tourism economy.

Also, he suggested that the government legalise several other bars in the country and bring them under the taxing net to increase revenue collection.

“There are a lot of restaurant cum bar in the city where foreigners go regularly. Why they would serve liquor without legal permit. Rather they should be given license and brought under the tax net,” he said.

He said, currently there are only 96 licensed bars in the country and a thousand others operating under the radar. “The government should hand them licenses and tax them.”

Minister Hossain also requested Finance Minister AMA Muhith 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.