The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Muhammad Abdul Majid on Friday assured business leaders of making the taxing departments more taxpayer-friendly.

"NBR formed a committee to help taxpayers paying off income taxes. Besides, an advocacy centre is working round the clock. Our aim now is to make our economy dynamic keeping the revenue flow in a business-friendly atmosphere", he said.

Majid was exchanging views with Rajshahi Chamber and Commerce and Industries (RCCI), officials of VAT (value added tax), customs and national savings directorate at Rajshahi deputy commissioner's conference room.

Rajshahi taxes and VAT commissioner M Enayet Hossain, income tax commissioner M Babul Rabbani, deputy commissioner of the district M Khalilur Rahman and RCCI vice president Mainul Islam, among others, were present.

Pointing to rising pressure on the national budget, he directed the VAT and customs officials to run revenue activities using internal resources.

"We are to lessen the burden of foreign loan through self-dependency", he told calling upon business leaders to cooperate. "Every year, we are to pay about 13.5 percent of the national budget as interests on foreign loans", he said.

He informed, from now on budget proposals would be received directly from business leaders holding analytical discussions from the months of December or January, unlike the previous traditions of holding discussions just before the month of budget. He asked VAT, customs and savings officials to maintain coordination among them.