Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, April 10, 2025 (BSS) - Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Abdur Rahman Khan has said the government is mulling over developing and introducing a central bond system to make the NBR transparent and trade and commerce more hassle-free. 
  
Pointing out the critical aspects of global free market economy, the NBR chief said the domestic industry will be given more advantage and protection through streamlining in-bond and non-bond trade system as well as to remove ineptness of the facilities.

The NBR chairman said these while addressing a pre-budgetary exchange of views with leaders and members of trade bodies at World Trade Center here today.

Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) arranged the meeting participated by the representatives of Chattogram Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Women's Chamber, Rangamati and Cox's Bazar Chambers of Commerce.

CCCI Administrator Mohammad Anwar Pasha was in the chair.

NBR Chairman said, ‘We are not directly involved in many issues. We have understood that there are problems in bond custom facility. The process of availing certificates, licenses, and necessary permits through online is underway. Work is also going on to simplify the submissions of VAT audits and VAT returns.’

NBR chairman assured the chamber leaders of taking into consideration their pragmatic proposals in the next budget.

NBR is working in line with the interim government’s frantic efforts to make the economy stable by reducing cost of doing business and making the process easy.

Seeking cooperation of the trade leaders in tax collection the NBR chairman said, ‘If we don’t pay taxes in a reasonable manner, we cannot be a partner in the country’s development.”

He said the government wants to introduce full automation of bonds functions to curb corruption and irregularities but many people are not supporting it.

NBR Chief said to check the tax evasion is our one of the main priority and at the same time existing tax structure will be justifiably reshaped along with the provision of adjusting the additional tax paid on individual category. 

Earlier in the exchange of views, trade bodies of Chattogram region submitted 19 proposals on income tax, 40 on VAT and 55 on customs to make the next year budget as trade and industry friendly.

Abida Sultana, president of the Chattogram Women's Chamber, said, at present women in the country, even from remote areas, is coming forward in the business sector in a bigger number which is very significant and positive trend for balanced economic development. She demanded to give special attention and incentives for women entrepreneurs and businessmen in the upcoming budget.
  
Khalilur Rahman, president of Chattogram Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "A quite large amount of VAT and tax is being paid in importing machinery for domestic production and export-oriented enterprises. “But the process should be made more easy and simple for promoting industry specially SMEs in the country,” he said.
 
Former CCCI President Sarwar Jamal Nizam said 55 percent of the people of Bangladesh still live below the poverty line. Measures should be taken to bring VAT to a tolerable level for benefits of the common people. He also demanded to reduce the direct taxes.
 
BGMEA’s former first vice-president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury said demanded making the audit of private firms easier. Although, there have been a lot of discussions and promise over the issue in the past but its reflection has not been seen in the budget. 

Former CCCI Vice Presidents Ershad Ullah, president of Bangladesh Cane Exporters Association President Ekramul Karim, former CCCI Director Amjad Chowdhury, Rangamati Chamber President Mamunur Rashid, Cox’s Bazar Chamber President Abu Morshed Chowdhury and representatives of various industrial groups took part in the discussion.