The government has constituted a national committee under the leadership of the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister for the preparation, planning, implementation and monitoring of the challenges that Bangladesh will have to face after transitioning from LDC (least developed country) in 2026. The sub-committee on ‘Inland Revenue Collection and Tariff Rationalization’ is one of the 7 subject-wise sub-committees constituted to assist the work.
A national workshop was organized by this sub-committee on Saturday with the view to present its draft recommendations to the concerned stakeholders and to finalize them based on their views on actions to be taken to address the challenges during the transition from LDCs. Fatima Yasmin, senior secretary of finance department, presided over the workshop while Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Ahmad Kaikaus was the Chief Guest.
The president of Federation of Bangladesh Industry and Chamber of Commerce (FBCCI) Jasim Uddin and BGMEA president Farooq Hasan spoke on behalf of the stakeholders. Director General of Bangladesh Development Research Institute (BIDS) Dr Binayak Sen and Chairperson of PRI Dr Zahidi sattar discussed on the topic.
The panel discussants included Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar, NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Munim and Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Tapan Kanti Ghosh.
The three convenors of the three study groups formed under the sub-committee presented key recommendations at the national workshop. Dr Shams Uddin Ahmed, NBR Member (Tax Policy) made a presentation on reforming tax regulations and procedures, Md Masud ur Sadik, NBR Member (Tariff Policy) on tariff rationalization while Arfin Ara Begum, Director General, Monitoring Cell, Finance Department gave a presentation on export incentives.
