‘They don’t pay heed to us’

Business leaders have expressed unhappiness with the National Board of Revenue (NBR), saying its officials do not pay heed to their demands and do not formulate policies conducive to industrial growth.

“What does the NBR think of itself? Our opinions may differ with them [NBR officials], but they have to listen to us first,” said former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin at a pre-budget discussion on Wednesday.

The event was organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Daily Samakal at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

“The previous NBR chairmen would come to the FBCCI and hear our views to formulate business-friendly policies,” said Shafiul.

He said the tariff commission would play a pivotal role in rationalising tariffs and the NBR would implement the policy. The business leader questioned the posting of outsiders as NBR chairmen, saying, “If the NBR has the capacity, why does it not get leaders from within the organisation? Rather, an outsider is posted under a two-year contract, who then spends the first year learning tax and customs policies.”

Another former FBCCI president AK Azad said, “We miss our late finance minister AMA Muhith. He would come to the business community’s discussions and take notes.

“But the incumbent finance minister is not here today. The NBR chairman has not come either and has not even sent any representative.”

FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said, “The prime minister assured us that there would be no red tape in the upcoming budget.”

Jashim said, “NBR does not pay heed to our suggestions. Its officials do not even write meeting minutes, and we do not see any reflection of our discussions in policy formulation.”