Economic reform is the biggest reform for Bangladesh: Finance Adviser

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said that economic reform is the biggest reform that the country needs most at this moment.

“We are talking a lot regarding reforms -- political reforms and election reforms -- I think those are needed and important too, but right now the biggest reform we need in the economy,” he said.

The Finance Adviser was addressing a seminar titled “International Customs Day-2025”as the chief guest held at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in the capital.

Mentioning that economic reform is simultaneously tough and also easy, Dr Salehuddin said, “There are some fundamental laws which need to be changed and it will take time.”

The Adviser stressed that the existing laws and systems need to be practised properly, correctly and transparently, and urged the business community to supplement the government’s efforts in boosting revenue collection.

“I request you (businesspeople) from the government to cooperate in raising the revenue collection. It won‍‍`t work in collecting revenues only by force …if you have dues, please pay those duly,” he said.

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’ demands 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 staff, 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, the event was also addressed by Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman.

NBR Member Kazi Mostafizur Rahman delivered the address of welcome while another NBR Member Hossain Ahmed made the keynote 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’,”

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 perceive that and we’ve to step into the 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.

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

A total of 16 customs department officials were recognized with ‘WCO Certificate of Merit’ at the seminar.