Published : 06 Apr 2026, 01:10 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:33 PM
Describing the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio as "unsatisfactory", Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has called for expanding the tax net rather than increasing tax rates to boost revenue collection.
The minister noted on Sunday that a significant portion of the economy remains outside the tax bracket.
"We must increase revenue by broadening the tax base, not by raising the burden on existing taxpayers," he said.
Muktadir made the remarks during a meeting at the NEC conference room of the Planning Commission in Agargaon.
He emphasised that strengthening debt management and increasing internal resource mobilisation are the most pressing needs given the current economic reality.
He acknowledged that Bangladesh is navigating a "challenging economic situation" that requires disciplined and stable planning to overcome.
Criticising past fiscal decisions, the commerce minister pointed out that several large-scale projects were undertaken without proper preparation, leading to an increased debt burden.
"In many cases, there have been questions regarding project costs and implementation processes, which created additional pressure on the economy," he said.
"We must manage existing debts properly and exercise greater caution before undertaking new projects in the future."
He stressed that selecting realistic and fruitful projects is essential for sustainable development and enhancing the country's debt repayment capacity.
