The finance adviser stated that Bangladesh urgently requires economic reforms

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed emphasized today that Bangladesh urgently requires economic reforms at this moment. "We are discussing reforms in various sectors such as political reforms, economic reforms, and the electoral process, all of which are important. However, at this point, economic reforms are the most pressing need," he stated. He made these comments during an event celebrating International Customs Day at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Acknowledging the "complexity" involved in implementing economic reforms, Salehuddin noted that although the task is challenging due to numerous procedural laws and regulations, their proper and transparent enforcement is essential for progress. "We have some modernized systems, but we're unable to utilize them effectively," he said, highlighting inefficiencies in governance.

The adviser also expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed implementation of the National Single Window, a project launched in 2017, which was only partially introduced last month.

He urged businesses to cooperate fully in revenue collection, emphasizing that businesses should settle their arrears without making unreasonable or illegal demands. "We do not engage in such practices, whether officially, unofficially, or through underhanded means," he clarified.

Salehuddin also called on NBR officials to intensify their efforts to meet revenue targets. "This year is a challenging one, so we need to press ahead," he urged.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan pointed out the agency's use of customs as a trade facilitation tool. He criticized businesses for their reluctance to adopt automation, stating that while rural populations and RMG workers have embraced mobile financial services, businesses continue to avoid automation to evade VAT and taxes by failing to keep transaction records.