Business leaders prod government to sit 'urgently' with agitating NBR staff

Seven recommendations have been presented to the government by business organisations

A total of 11 business organisations, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), have called on the government to hold discussions to resolve the ongoing agitation by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials over their demands.

At a joint media briefing, the business leaders said it is essential that the various government ministries and BIDA come together without delay to engage in discussions with the protesters and work towards resolving the issues that have emerged.

The interim government took the initiative to abolish the NBR and run its activities through two departments.

The government embarked on NBR reform activities to increase the ratio of tax collection to GDP, take tax exemptions to a reasonable level, and fulfil the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan agreement.

Although the ordinance to abolish the NBR was suspended due to the employees' movement, they began a “complete shutdown” programme across the country on Saturday on various demands, including the resignation of the organisation's chairman.

As a result, customs clearance of goods awaiting clearance and export at various ports and official activities came to a standstill.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said, “Economic activities worth Tk 25 billion are being disrupted daily due to the NBR employees' movement.

Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez said, “The removal of the NBR chairman is not desirable at all. We believe it is unlikely to bring any meaningful success.”

In a written statement, the organisations said: “The country’s import and export are facing serious losses due to the pen-down strike. Exporters are unable to release raw materials on time.

“This is further extending the lead time for the country’s exports. Goods are going to waste as they sit idle at seaports and airports.

“With limited working hours, it now takes 10 to 15 days to receive a UP that would typically be issued within a single working day.”

At the briefing, seven recommendations were presented to the government by the business organisations seeking solutions to the ongoing problem. Notable among these are:

>> Discussions should be held with the protesting NBR officers and employees to ensure the provision of various services of the institution.

>> To formulate an effective tax or revenue policy and ensure its proper implementation, the controversial ordinance on separating revenue policy formulation from revenue management within the NBR should first be discussed with relevant stakeholders. Following that, it should be implemented in line with international standards, free from the influence of vested interests.

>> Ensuring transparency and accountability in all national institutions related to the overall development of trade and commerce, including the NBR.

>> Modernisation programmes should be undertaken through discussions with stakeholders to ensure the overall and integrated development of the NBR, along with other regulatory and facilitating institutions involved in investment, trade, and commodity supply systems.

>> Giving instructions from the highest echelons of the government to the relevant ministries and departments, including the finance ministry, commerce ministry, and the industries ministry, to take coordinated initiatives.

The briefing called on the agitating employees to withdraw their programme without any conditions.