"The newly proposed VAT on all amusement parks and other similar businesses will certainly affect the future of this sector and also the general people," said Asif Hossain, marketing director of Nandan Group.

He termed it a "non-industry-friendly fiscal policy" and said such unfriendly policies would hold back the existing operators from going for further expansion or investment and discourage or deter new investment.

And that will ultimately have a negative impact on the growth of this sector.

"Our expectations from the government include a better stable political and economic condition, more improved law and order situation, further development of infrastructures, and most importantly industry-friendly fiscal policies," Asif told the news agency.

The budget for 2004-05 fiscal has proposed 4.5 percent value-added tax on amusement-park business, which has started taking off with the import of latest innovations.

Nandan has been only about 8 months into the business and the venture is, as Asif said, "moderately successful in terms of the response we have received from the visitors. And the trend looks positive for the future."

The Group has invested a total of Tk 30 crore. Since November 2003, some 4 lakh visitors have enjoyed the fantasies inside the Nandan-dom.

Head of Operation of Nandan Shah Hussain Dilder Sagar said smooth operation of the park very much depends on stable supply of electricity. But a constant and daily load-shedding problem extremely hinders the operation.

Nandan's main competitors in the amusement park sector are Fantasy Kingdom, Wonderland, Shishu Park and Shishu Mela.