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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said clearing public confusion over revenue collection is one of the major challenges facing the government, stressing the need to make the National Board of Revenue (NBR) a people-friendly and trusted institution.
He made the remarks on Tuesday (August 18) while addressing the Revenue Conference 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
Tarique attended the conference as the chief guest. The conference was organised by the NBR in cooperation with the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance.
The prime minister said the success of the government’s development plans and their implementation largely depends on the NBR’s performance.
He said the NBR, like other state institutions, had been affected during the previous 15 years of “authoritarian rule”, while arbitrary practices had damaged public confidence in the organisation.
Tarique stressed expanding domestic revenue sources and reducing dependence on foreign assistance. He said the government could not leave future generations burdened with debt by relying on external support.
To this end, the government has adopted a people-oriented production policy aimed at increasing investment and employment, he said.
The prime minister called for restoring taxpayers’ confidence and said revenue collection was not simply a matter of enforcement but a relationship based on trust.
He instructed officials to make tax payment easier and free from corruption and harassment. The government should encourage more people to pay taxes voluntarily rather than placing a heavier burden on the same group of taxpayers, he said.
Tarique also stressed expanding the tax base by bringing newly capable taxpayers into the system.
He called for reducing complications in VAT administration so that tax procedures do not hinder business and trade.
The prime minister also urged revenue officials to develop diverse skills to deal with the challenges of the digital economy. He said modern tax administration should not focus only on collecting more revenue but also on encouraging wider voluntary compliance.
Tarique said the positive trend in revenue collection from February to June demonstrated the capability of NBR officials.
He also said the government was working to reduce spending on unnecessary sectors while ensuring adequate allocations for essential areas.
“If everyone performs their responsibilities properly, positive changes will come to the country,” he said.
The prime minister said the government’s goal was to move forward rather than return to the past.
“We want to move forward together with everyone. If we are to progress, we must work and move ahead together,” he said.
The conference discussed modernising the revenue system, increasing revenue collection, improving tax administration and ensuring adequate revenue mobilisation to meet the country’s economic needs.
Senior NBR officials and officials of the Internal Resources Division attended the conference.