The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The government is planning to expand the customs and VAT department to meet the demand of time, face challenges of global trade and create a tax-friendly environment to augment revenue.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Thursday said: To meet the demand of time, face challenges of global trade and create a tax-friendly environment to augment revenue, there is no alternative but to expand the customs and VAT departments.

"Customs Duty and VAT are the major sources of our domestic revenue. In the last one and half decade, import-export trade went up by some two and half times while the domestic trading increased by 29 times."

For this purpose, the Minister proposed for creation of VAT Divisional Office in each district and necessary circle offices, along with elevating the status of existing customs stations at Tamabil, Sheola, Teknaf, Akhaura, Bhomra, Sonamosjid, Hili, Burimari and Banglabandha to a full Customs Divisional Office.

He proposed creation of three new VAT Commissionerates at greater Dhaka and Chittagong, one Appeal Commissionerate, two Bond Commissionerates at Dhaka and Chittagong, converting the Kamalapur ICD into a full-fledged Custom House, creation of two new custom houses at Pangaon of Munshigonj and Rajshahi, new VAT Survey Directorate, two Appellate benches, increase manpower, logistics and transports for various field offices of Customs and VAT including the Airport.

Besides, Muhith proposed to create separate ICT wing of NBR along with an ICT Commissionerate towards building Digital Bangladesh.

Moreover, positions of Member under Customs and VAT Administration will be increased and the number of officers and staff working in different field offices administering customs and VAT will be increased, the Finance Minister said.

"This expansion plan will also cater for the phasing out of the mandatory PSI system in the future. Moreover, I propose to create ten positions for Representative on Customs Matters in ten overseas missions of Bangladesh having commercial importance."