By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 17 (UNB) – Industries Minister Dilip Barua on Saturday hoped that there will be no crisis of sugar in the holy month of Ramadan and sugar price will remain stable during the entire month of fasting.
Import of two consignments of sugar, each having 25,000 tons, has already been finalized and is expected to arrive in the country by mid-Ramadan, he told journalists at his office.
Barua said price of per kg sugar would be fixed between Tk 40 and Tk 45 at the mill gate of state-owned sugar mills so that the price in retail market can be kept within commoners purchasing capacity.
Earlier, on Thursday, Bangladesh Sugar Refiners Association (BSRA) sent a letter to the Industries Minister for fixing the sugar price at Tk 45 per kg at the mill gate as in the last year.
The Industries Minister said the government has planned a buffer stock of 100,000 tons of sugar through domestic and international procurement to meet additional demand and keep price stable during Ramadan.
This time, he said, the state-owned Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) under the Industries Ministry has been given the responsibility to import 50,000 tons of sugar to keep the price stable and the market free from any artificial crisis during month of fasting for the Muslims.
Besides, the corporation would procure another 10,000 tonnes of sugar locally, Barua said. “We’ve already floated tender for procuring sugar from local market. It’ll be opened on July 19.”
Replying to a question, he said that currently the government has a stock of 40,000 tons of sugar.
Asked about the distribution process, the Industries Minister said: “We’ve 4500 dealers under BSFIC across the country. The sugar will be sold by our dealers.”
Bangladesh largely depends on imported sugar to meet its annual demand of 1.4 million tons as the state-run sugar mills can produce only 125,000 tons.
END/UNB/AKM
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Dhaka-Kathmandu commerce secretary-level meet prepare final draft of transit; Next meeting at Kathmandu in Feb
By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 15 (UNB) – After two days of talks ending Thursday, Commerce secretaries of Bangladesh and Nepal prepared the final draft on the modalities of transit for transport of trade cargoes between the two countries allowing trucks from Nepal without any fees.
The final draft that allows trucks from Nepal into Bangladesh territory may get formal approval from the top government authorities before February next year paving the way for the implementation of the much-anticipated transport connectivity,” Commerce Secretary M Golam Hossain said after the talks at a joint press conference at the Secretariat.
“We’ll soon place it (final draft) before the highest level of the government for vetting and formal approval,” he said.
Bangladesh commerce secretary said the next secretary-level meeting would be held in Kathmandu in February next year for further discussion on other unresolved issues.
“We’ve finalized the route of transit from Banglabandh to Mongla for the trucks coming from Nepal. The route is Banglabandh-Panchagarh-Thakurgaon-Syedpur-Rangpur-Bogra-Natore-Dashuria-Paksey-Kushtia-Jessore-Khulna-Mongla port,” he said in reply to a question.
Replying to another question, Golam Hossain said: “It could have been an income if Bangladesh gets fees from for each truck’s entry into our territory, but we’ll benefit by other fees like carrying charges.”
He said Bangladesh could not fully utilize the facilities of Monga port. “If we allow our friends to utilize the facilities, we’ll be benefited… in trading one party might get a little more benefit and the other party little less, but to get something is better than nothing.”
The commerce secretary told another questioner that the pressure on the roads would not be much, as you know Nepal is a small country and its export-import volume is also small in size.
He said they could not reach a decision on duty-free access of goods for the markets of both countries but both sides tabled a list of own products for further consideration.
“In the meeting, Bangladesh placed a list of 184 products while Nepal mentioned 146 products for duty-free access to each other’s markets. We’ve directed the joint-secretary level body to finalize the list and place its recommendations to the next secretary-level meeting,” Golam Hossain said.
Nepalese commerce secretary Purushottam Ojha said though the transit agreement was signed in 1976, quite a long time back, still it has remained unimplemented. Transport connectivity was one of the bottlenecks.
“Once we’ve transport connectivity it’ll help create opportunities for increasing the bilateral trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people contact,” he said.
During the talks, Bangladesh also focused on export of pharmaceuticals to Nepal, railway connectivity, Dhaka-Kathmandu bus service, on arrival visa for the Nepalese and simplification of visa procedures for the Bangladeshis.
The secretary-level talks began on Wednesday after nearly three years. Bangladesh commerce secretary led a 15-member team while his Nepalese counterpart Purushottam Ojha led a six-member delegation at the talks.
Bangladesh team included representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, industries, shipping, communication, and power, Board of Investment, National Board of Revenue, Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, and the Tariff Commission.
Transit agreement between Bangladesh and Nepal was signed on April 2 in 1976. The agreement, which did not incorporate any provision for using the territory and ports and routes for entry and exit of Nepalese vehicles, made it almost non-functional.
END/UNB/AMK
Dhaka, Jul 15 (UNB) – After two days of talks ending Thursday, Commerce secretaries of Bangladesh and Nepal prepared the final draft on the modalities of transit for transport of trade cargoes between the two countries allowing trucks from Nepal without any fees.
The final draft that allows trucks from Nepal into Bangladesh territory may get formal approval from the top government authorities before February next year paving the way for the implementation of the much-anticipated transport connectivity,” Commerce Secretary M Golam Hossain said after the talks at a joint press conference at the Secretariat.
“We’ll soon place it (final draft) before the highest level of the government for vetting and formal approval,” he said.
Bangladesh commerce secretary said the next secretary-level meeting would be held in Kathmandu in February next year for further discussion on other unresolved issues.
“We’ve finalized the route of transit from Banglabandh to Mongla for the trucks coming from Nepal. The route is Banglabandh-Panchagarh-Thakurgaon-Syedpur-Rangpur-Bogra-Natore-Dashuria-Paksey-Kushtia-Jessore-Khulna-Mongla port,” he said in reply to a question.
Replying to another question, Golam Hossain said: “It could have been an income if Bangladesh gets fees from for each truck’s entry into our territory, but we’ll benefit by other fees like carrying charges.”
He said Bangladesh could not fully utilize the facilities of Monga port. “If we allow our friends to utilize the facilities, we’ll be benefited… in trading one party might get a little more benefit and the other party little less, but to get something is better than nothing.”
The commerce secretary told another questioner that the pressure on the roads would not be much, as you know Nepal is a small country and its export-import volume is also small in size.
He said they could not reach a decision on duty-free access of goods for the markets of both countries but both sides tabled a list of own products for further consideration.
“In the meeting, Bangladesh placed a list of 184 products while Nepal mentioned 146 products for duty-free access to each other’s markets. We’ve directed the joint-secretary level body to finalize the list and place its recommendations to the next secretary-level meeting,” Golam Hossain said.
Nepalese commerce secretary Purushottam Ojha said though the transit agreement was signed in 1976, quite a long time back, still it has remained unimplemented. Transport connectivity was one of the bottlenecks.
“Once we’ve transport connectivity it’ll help create opportunities for increasing the bilateral trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people contact,” he said.
During the talks, Bangladesh also focused on export of pharmaceuticals to Nepal, railway connectivity, Dhaka-Kathmandu bus service, on arrival visa for the Nepalese and simplification of visa procedures for the Bangladeshis.
The secretary-level talks began on Wednesday after nearly three years. Bangladesh commerce secretary led a 15-member team while his Nepalese counterpart Purushottam Ojha led a six-member delegation at the talks.
Bangladesh team included representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, industries, shipping, communication, and power, Board of Investment, National Board of Revenue, Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, and the Tariff Commission.
Transit agreement between Bangladesh and Nepal was signed on April 2 in 1976. The agreement, which did not incorporate any provision for using the territory and ports and routes for entry and exit of Nepalese vehicles, made it almost non-functional.
END/UNB/AMK
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Awami Foundation to be rebuilt as ‘safety net’; it will set up 250-bed hospital at Savar: PM Hasina
By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - Awami Foundation will soon be rebuilt as a
‘safety net’ organization for destitute people, including leaders and
activists of Awami League and pro-liberation forces, Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina said Wednesday.
She said that the Foundation will soon set up a 250-bed hospital and
nursing institute on its 19 bighas of land at Savar. Later, it will
be turned into a 500-bed hospital.
Hasina, also the chairman of Awami Foundation, a non-profit
organization, revealed the plan in a meeting held at Gonabhaban this
(Wednesday) evening.
In her introductory speech, Hasina said the Awami Foundation was
formed in March 1994 aiming to serving the society and ensuring
safety of the Awami League leaders and activists apart from its other
activities.
“The activities of the foundation could not progress much as it faced
a lot of hurdles, especially during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat led
alliance government,” she said.
Deputy Leader in Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, AL advisory
council members Suranjit Sengupta, Tofael Ahmed, AL presidium member
Matia Chowdhury and general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam attended
the meeting, conducted by Foundation’s secretary general Ashikur
Rahman.
END/UNB/AKM/
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - Awami Foundation will soon be rebuilt as a
‘safety net’ organization for destitute people, including leaders and
activists of Awami League and pro-liberation forces, Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina said Wednesday.
She said that the Foundation will soon set up a 250-bed hospital and
nursing institute on its 19 bighas of land at Savar. Later, it will
be turned into a 500-bed hospital.
Hasina, also the chairman of Awami Foundation, a non-profit
organization, revealed the plan in a meeting held at Gonabhaban this
(Wednesday) evening.
In her introductory speech, Hasina said the Awami Foundation was
formed in March 1994 aiming to serving the society and ensuring
safety of the Awami League leaders and activists apart from its other
activities.
“The activities of the foundation could not progress much as it faced
a lot of hurdles, especially during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat led
alliance government,” she said.
Deputy Leader in Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, AL advisory
council members Suranjit Sengupta, Tofael Ahmed, AL presidium member
Matia Chowdhury and general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam attended
the meeting, conducted by Foundation’s secretary general Ashikur
Rahman.
END/UNB/AKM/
Delwar blames Prime Minister Hasina for “stigmatizing” democracy
By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain
on Wednesday blamed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for “stigmatizing
democracy by using police illegally” against its leaders and
activists.
“The Prime Minister does not have the right to use police force
illegally to serve political purpose,” he said at a rally at city’s
Muktangon today.
Delwar also said that Prime Minister Hasina cannot jeopardize country’
s independence and sovereignty by handing over Chittagong port to
foreigners.
Jubo Dal organized the rally demanding withdrawal of “false” cases
against BNP leaders Mirza Abbas, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Shahid
Uddin Chowdhury Annie MP and their immediate release as well as
finding out missing DCC ward councilor Chowdhury Alam.
Jubo Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal presided over the rally,
which was also addressed by BNP senior joint secretary general Mirza
Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, joint secretary generals Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and
Amanullah Aman, and Jubo Dal general secretary Saiful Islam Nirob.
Addressing the rally as chief guest, Delwar said people became
surprised when police re-arrested the BNP leaders after getting bails
from the High Court.
Criticizing the government for its failure to find out missing ward
councilor Chowdhury Alam, he said people want to know about the
whereabouts of Chowdhury Alam.
“The government will have to answer to the people if Chowdhury Alam
is harmed in any way,” Delwar said accusing the police and ruling
party cadres for his missing.
END/UNB/AKM/
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain
on Wednesday blamed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for “stigmatizing
democracy by using police illegally” against its leaders and
activists.
“The Prime Minister does not have the right to use police force
illegally to serve political purpose,” he said at a rally at city’s
Muktangon today.
Delwar also said that Prime Minister Hasina cannot jeopardize country’
s independence and sovereignty by handing over Chittagong port to
foreigners.
Jubo Dal organized the rally demanding withdrawal of “false” cases
against BNP leaders Mirza Abbas, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Shahid
Uddin Chowdhury Annie MP and their immediate release as well as
finding out missing DCC ward councilor Chowdhury Alam.
Jubo Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal presided over the rally,
which was also addressed by BNP senior joint secretary general Mirza
Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, joint secretary generals Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and
Amanullah Aman, and Jubo Dal general secretary Saiful Islam Nirob.
Addressing the rally as chief guest, Delwar said people became
surprised when police re-arrested the BNP leaders after getting bails
from the High Court.
Criticizing the government for its failure to find out missing ward
councilor Chowdhury Alam, he said people want to know about the
whereabouts of Chowdhury Alam.
“The government will have to answer to the people if Chowdhury Alam
is harmed in any way,” Delwar said accusing the police and ruling
party cadres for his missing.
END/UNB/AKM/
Bangladesh-Nepal secretary level talks begin; transport connectivity, removal of trade barriers top agenda
By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - A two-day commerce secretary-level talks between Bangladesh and Nepal began in Dhaka on Wednesday in a bid to finalize bilateral issues including trade expansion, transport connectivity and removal of trade barriers.
Commerce Secretary Mohammad Ghulam Husain is leading the 15-member Bangladesh team while his Nepali counterpart Purushottam Ojha is heading the six-member team. The talks were held at the conference room of commerce ministry.
Representatives from foreign, industries, shipping, communication, power ministries, Board of Investment, National Board of Revenue, Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority and Bangladesh Tariff Commission were included in the Bangladesh team.
Commerce Ministry sources said apart from transit connectivity and transport issues, key points of the talks are duty-free market facilities, tariff preference, full-fledged operation of Kakarbhitta-Panitanki-Phulbari-Banglabandh corridor and allowing Nepalese trucks into Banglabandh land port.
Railway connectivity, Dhaka-Kathmandu bus service and transport of perishable goods through air cargo service also came under discussion.
The last secretary-level meeting between Nepal and Bangladesh was held in October 2007 in Nepal’s capital Katmandu.
END/UNB/AMK/
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - A two-day commerce secretary-level talks between Bangladesh and Nepal began in Dhaka on Wednesday in a bid to finalize bilateral issues including trade expansion, transport connectivity and removal of trade barriers.
Commerce Secretary Mohammad Ghulam Husain is leading the 15-member Bangladesh team while his Nepali counterpart Purushottam Ojha is heading the six-member team. The talks were held at the conference room of commerce ministry.
Representatives from foreign, industries, shipping, communication, power ministries, Board of Investment, National Board of Revenue, Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority and Bangladesh Tariff Commission were included in the Bangladesh team.
Commerce Ministry sources said apart from transit connectivity and transport issues, key points of the talks are duty-free market facilities, tariff preference, full-fledged operation of Kakarbhitta-Panitanki-Phulbari-Banglabandh corridor and allowing Nepalese trucks into Banglabandh land port.
Railway connectivity, Dhaka-Kathmandu bus service and transport of perishable goods through air cargo service also came under discussion.
The last secretary-level meeting between Nepal and Bangladesh was held in October 2007 in Nepal’s capital Katmandu.
END/UNB/AMK/
BGMEA seek media’s positive stand to protect RMG sector;Editors, economists, teachers call for balanced wage for RMG workers
By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - Conspiracy, low wages for workers and lack of congenial working environment are the main reasons behind the recent violence and unrest in the RMG sector that almost brought the highest export earning sector near extinction, speakers said at a discussion Wednesday.
They suggested balanced wage structure for workers, introduction of trade unionism, developing internal intelligence unit, permanent platform of discussion, skilled and trained workforce, and strong public relations body towards resolving the prevailing crisis by protecting the interests of both workers and owners.
The discussants, which included editors of leading national dailies, economists, university teachers and garment manufacturers, made the observations at an opinion exchange meeting on `Present Crisis in RMG Sector’ held at Hotel Sheraton in the city.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) arranged the meeting, which was presided over by its president Abdus Salam Murshedy.
Taking part in the discussion, executive director of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Prof Mustafizur Rahman said bargaining will be there between owners and workers but the people want to see a balanced wage structure for the RMG workers.
“We hope the minimum wage structure, likely to be announced on July 28, will match our assumption and expectation,” he said urging the owners to protect the interest of workers.
Prof Mustafiz identified conspiracy, low wage and uncongenial working environment as the key reasons behind violence and unrest in the RMG sector.
Samokal editor Golam Sarwar said it is urgently needed to have an acceptable wage structure through blending the workers’ expectation and the owners’ interest for protecting the garment sector.
He sought political consensus for the protection and further flourishing of RMG sector keeping the RMG units out of political programmes including hartal.
“Media is supportive to you. We’ll stay beside you, not to protect your interest but to protect country’s interest,” he said.
Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul said the owners should consider with utmost sympathy the minimum wages for the RMG workers.
“It (RMG) is not an industry of any party, rather of the country. It’s the responsibility of all - owners, workers and the government - to protect this industry,” he said adding that conspirators are getting the scope to create unrest in the sector as anger is prevailing within it.
Prothom Alo joint editor Abdul Qaiyum said the number of RMG units providing better facilities to the workers is very few. If the owners fail to ensure better facilities to the workers of all RMG units, there will be unrest in future even with increased minimum wages.
Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamol Dutta said neither the government nor the RMG owners have any mechanism to deal with over 30 lakh RMG workers and this puts the sector into trouble.
“The garment sector is now on the verge of destruction… a victim of negligence and both the government and owners are responsible for this,” he said.
Acting editor of the daily Sangbad Moniruzzaman said mutual trust between workers and owners did not develop in the RMG sector even after 30 years of the sector’s journey.
“If you can’t build trust and if you fail to take the workers into confidence, you can’t resolve the problem even by increasing the minimum wages,” he said.
Former BGMEA president Tipu Munshi MP said they are sincere about increasing the wages for the workers gradually, not at a time.
“We can’t give the amount that they (workers) desire, as our capability didn’t increase. If we’re given time, we’ll increase the wages gradually.”
He sought a positive stand from media after the announcement of minimum wages for the workers.
Independent editor Mahbubul Alam, advisory editor of the daily Ittefaq Habibur Rahman Milon, BFUJ president Iqbal Sonhan Chowdhury, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Mazumdar, Commonwealth Journalist Association president Hasan Shahriar, special affairs editor of bdnews24.com Baby Moudud and Destiny executive editor Mahmud Al Faisal, among others, also took part in the discussion.
END/UNB/AKM/
Dhaka, Jul 14 (UNB) - Conspiracy, low wages for workers and lack of congenial working environment are the main reasons behind the recent violence and unrest in the RMG sector that almost brought the highest export earning sector near extinction, speakers said at a discussion Wednesday.
They suggested balanced wage structure for workers, introduction of trade unionism, developing internal intelligence unit, permanent platform of discussion, skilled and trained workforce, and strong public relations body towards resolving the prevailing crisis by protecting the interests of both workers and owners.
The discussants, which included editors of leading national dailies, economists, university teachers and garment manufacturers, made the observations at an opinion exchange meeting on `Present Crisis in RMG Sector’ held at Hotel Sheraton in the city.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) arranged the meeting, which was presided over by its president Abdus Salam Murshedy.
Taking part in the discussion, executive director of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Prof Mustafizur Rahman said bargaining will be there between owners and workers but the people want to see a balanced wage structure for the RMG workers.
“We hope the minimum wage structure, likely to be announced on July 28, will match our assumption and expectation,” he said urging the owners to protect the interest of workers.
Prof Mustafiz identified conspiracy, low wage and uncongenial working environment as the key reasons behind violence and unrest in the RMG sector.
Samokal editor Golam Sarwar said it is urgently needed to have an acceptable wage structure through blending the workers’ expectation and the owners’ interest for protecting the garment sector.
He sought political consensus for the protection and further flourishing of RMG sector keeping the RMG units out of political programmes including hartal.
“Media is supportive to you. We’ll stay beside you, not to protect your interest but to protect country’s interest,” he said.
Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul said the owners should consider with utmost sympathy the minimum wages for the RMG workers.
“It (RMG) is not an industry of any party, rather of the country. It’s the responsibility of all - owners, workers and the government - to protect this industry,” he said adding that conspirators are getting the scope to create unrest in the sector as anger is prevailing within it.
Prothom Alo joint editor Abdul Qaiyum said the number of RMG units providing better facilities to the workers is very few. If the owners fail to ensure better facilities to the workers of all RMG units, there will be unrest in future even with increased minimum wages.
Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamol Dutta said neither the government nor the RMG owners have any mechanism to deal with over 30 lakh RMG workers and this puts the sector into trouble.
“The garment sector is now on the verge of destruction… a victim of negligence and both the government and owners are responsible for this,” he said.
Acting editor of the daily Sangbad Moniruzzaman said mutual trust between workers and owners did not develop in the RMG sector even after 30 years of the sector’s journey.
“If you can’t build trust and if you fail to take the workers into confidence, you can’t resolve the problem even by increasing the minimum wages,” he said.
Former BGMEA president Tipu Munshi MP said they are sincere about increasing the wages for the workers gradually, not at a time.
“We can’t give the amount that they (workers) desire, as our capability didn’t increase. If we’re given time, we’ll increase the wages gradually.”
He sought a positive stand from media after the announcement of minimum wages for the workers.
Independent editor Mahbubul Alam, advisory editor of the daily Ittefaq Habibur Rahman Milon, BFUJ president Iqbal Sonhan Chowdhury, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Mazumdar, Commonwealth Journalist Association president Hasan Shahriar, special affairs editor of bdnews24.com Baby Moudud and Destiny executive editor Mahmud Al Faisal, among others, also took part in the discussion.
END/UNB/AKM/
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
NBR collects record Tk 62,007.47 crore revenue last fiscal
By AKM Moinuddin
Dhaka, Jul 13 (UNB) - National Board of Revenue (NBR) recorded highest revenue collection in the last fiscal (2009-10) exceeding its target, the first time under any democratic government since 2000, showing a growth rate of 18.05 percent.
The NBR collected Tk 62,007.47 crore in revenue in the last fiscal against its target of Tk 61,000 crore - an achievement rate of 101.65 percent, NBR chairman Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He, however, said the calculation is temporary and the figure might rise further.
The government’s highest tax administration collected Tk 52,527.25 crore as revenue in the 2008-09 fiscal.
The NBR chairman said: “The achievement rate has been shown on the original revenue collection target as we didn’t keep the provision of revised target. We had taken the challenges to achieve the target.”
The NBR could achieve the revenue collection target during the 2007-08 fiscal under the military controlled caretaker government, which was not a normal period, he said.
NBR’s tremendous performances in two categories - VAT (value added tax) and income tax among the four categories of revenue collection - helped it to exceed the target in the last fiscal.
It earned Tk 21,643.25 crore as VAT (local) against the target of Tk 20,735 crore - 104.38 percent achievement rate with 24.51 percent growth, and Tk 17,087.14 crore under income tax against the target of Tk 16,560 crore - 103.18 percent achievement rate with 23.30 percent growth.
The NBR, however collected only Tk 385.71 crore under the category of ‘other taxes’ against its target of Tk 469 crore, which showed a negative growth of -7.39 percent.
It showed 98.52 percent success rate in revenue collection from imports with Tk 22,891.37 crore against the target of Tk 23,236 crore.
Replying to a question, NBR chairman Dr Nasir said some 1200 institutions so far installed ECRs (Electronic Cash Registers). “We’re taking preparation to launch countrywide campaign to popularize ECRs.”
The NBR took the move to introduce ECR at all small and medium enterprises in a bid to plug holes in the VAT (value added tax) collection procedure.
Dr Nasir hoped that they would be able to achieve the bigger revenue collection target set for the current fiscal (2010-11).
“The target is bigger in size but we’re hopeful to achieve the target. We’re taking preparations at grassroots level,” he said.
The NBR chairman said they set a target of bringing 400,000 new taxpayers in the tax net last fiscal but that remained marginally unachieved. “We’ve a plan to identify 5 lakh new taxpayers in the current fiscal.”
NBR members Jahan Ara Siddiqui (Board Admin), Farid Uddin (Customs and VAT), Hussain Ahmed (Customs), Md Abdul Mannan Patwary (VAT), Basir Uddin Ahmed (Tax Admin and Monitoring), Sayed Md Aminul Karim (Tax Appeal and Exemption), Shambunath (Tax Survey and Inspection) and Aminur Rahman (Income Tax Policy) were present at the press conference and replied to the queries from newsmen.
END/UNB/AKM
Dhaka, Jul 13 (UNB) - National Board of Revenue (NBR) recorded highest revenue collection in the last fiscal (2009-10) exceeding its target, the first time under any democratic government since 2000, showing a growth rate of 18.05 percent.
The NBR collected Tk 62,007.47 crore in revenue in the last fiscal against its target of Tk 61,000 crore - an achievement rate of 101.65 percent, NBR chairman Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He, however, said the calculation is temporary and the figure might rise further.
The government’s highest tax administration collected Tk 52,527.25 crore as revenue in the 2008-09 fiscal.
The NBR chairman said: “The achievement rate has been shown on the original revenue collection target as we didn’t keep the provision of revised target. We had taken the challenges to achieve the target.”
The NBR could achieve the revenue collection target during the 2007-08 fiscal under the military controlled caretaker government, which was not a normal period, he said.
NBR’s tremendous performances in two categories - VAT (value added tax) and income tax among the four categories of revenue collection - helped it to exceed the target in the last fiscal.
It earned Tk 21,643.25 crore as VAT (local) against the target of Tk 20,735 crore - 104.38 percent achievement rate with 24.51 percent growth, and Tk 17,087.14 crore under income tax against the target of Tk 16,560 crore - 103.18 percent achievement rate with 23.30 percent growth.
The NBR, however collected only Tk 385.71 crore under the category of ‘other taxes’ against its target of Tk 469 crore, which showed a negative growth of -7.39 percent.
It showed 98.52 percent success rate in revenue collection from imports with Tk 22,891.37 crore against the target of Tk 23,236 crore.
Replying to a question, NBR chairman Dr Nasir said some 1200 institutions so far installed ECRs (Electronic Cash Registers). “We’re taking preparation to launch countrywide campaign to popularize ECRs.”
The NBR took the move to introduce ECR at all small and medium enterprises in a bid to plug holes in the VAT (value added tax) collection procedure.
Dr Nasir hoped that they would be able to achieve the bigger revenue collection target set for the current fiscal (2010-11).
“The target is bigger in size but we’re hopeful to achieve the target. We’re taking preparations at grassroots level,” he said.
The NBR chairman said they set a target of bringing 400,000 new taxpayers in the tax net last fiscal but that remained marginally unachieved. “We’ve a plan to identify 5 lakh new taxpayers in the current fiscal.”
NBR members Jahan Ara Siddiqui (Board Admin), Farid Uddin (Customs and VAT), Hussain Ahmed (Customs), Md Abdul Mannan Patwary (VAT), Basir Uddin Ahmed (Tax Admin and Monitoring), Sayed Md Aminul Karim (Tax Appeal and Exemption), Shambunath (Tax Survey and Inspection) and Aminur Rahman (Income Tax Policy) were present at the press conference and replied to the queries from newsmen.
END/UNB/AKM
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