Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today addressed a seminar on "International Customs Day- 2025" held at the NBR Bhaban, Dhaka. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today urged 
the business community to supplement the government's efforts in boosting 
revenue collection.

"In this International Customs Day-2025, I request you (businessmen) from the 
government to cooperate in raising the revenue collection. It's won't work in 
collecting revenues only by force ...if you have dues, please pay those 
duly," he said.

The Finance Adviser was addressing a seminar on "International Customs Day-
2025"as the chief guest held at the multipurpose hall of the National Board 
of Revenue (NBR) Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon area.

A video message of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Ian 
Saunders was played on the occasion alongside a video documentary on the 
operations of Bangladesh Customs.

The theme of this year's International Customs Day is "Customs Delivering on 
its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity". 

The Finance Adviser also assured the business community that no 'illegal' or 
'irrational' demand would be raised from the revenue authority while 
receiving their taxes and duties.

Besides, no 'irrational' demand would be raised before the businesses 
'beneath the table' from the revenue board staffs, he added. "If such 
compliance is ensured, then I hope the businessmen will support us more,"

Presided over by NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, Finance Secretary Dr Md 
Khairuzzaman Mozumder and FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman spoke as 
special guests.

NBR Member Kazi Mostafizur Rahman gave the address of welcome while another 
NBR Member Hossain Ahmed made the key-note presentation.

Noting that the issue of enriching the state coffer is a collective 
responsibility, the Adviser said that the taxpayers' money would not only be 
used for the benefits of the taxpayers themselves, but also for ensuring the 
overall welfare and benevolent works of the countrymen as well as in 
education, health, agriculture and in industrial development.

Citing that the task of revenue collection under the current context is a 
challenge, Dr Salehuddin directed the revenue board officials to become more 
active than before in fulfilling the fiscal collection target and thus moving 
forward the economy.

He asked them to discharge their duties with utmost honesty, integrity and 
sincerity as well as in a speedy manner in this competitive era for the sake 
of the country and its people. "The NBR is trying heart and soul and after two 
to three months we can get an idea about the real revenue collection scenario 
in this fiscal. This is a big challenge ahead of us and all will have to work 
unitedly and with 'team work',"

Urging the journalists to take a comparatively positive stance instead of 
negative outlook in discharging their duties, the Finance Adviser said 
definitely the common people are suffering a bit since all the prices of 
commodities not remain within their reach. "There are many constraints, but 
we're trying our best,"

Turning to the revenue collection state in the country, Dr Salehuddin said 
that Bangladesh is more or less ahead in revenue collection and expenditure 
management, but the country is still lagging behind in technological and 
procedural aspects.

"We're perceiving that and we've to step into modern era...we're trying to 
make revenue collection and expenditure more rational and for that artificial 
intelligence (AI) and other technologies are needed," he added.

Citing that the issue of economic reforms is more necessary than other 
reforms in the political and electoral fronts, the Adviser said for this the 
concerned laws, rules and regulations needed to be more simplified, 
transparent and fair.

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder said that the recent launching 
of the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) has been a milestone for the country.

He also hoped that Bangladesh Customs would work as a modern department being 
acclaimed across the globe.

FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman hoped that formal and informal 
consultations would be held with the business community before framing the 
national budget for the next fiscal year (FY26).

At the seminar, a total of 16 customs department officials were recognized 
with 'WCO Certificate of Merit'