Agargaon:Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury expressed his confidence that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) would meet its revenue collection target for the current fiscal year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Finance Minister made these remarks during a meeting with NBR officials at the Agargaon headquarters. He mentioned that the NBR officials are motivated and working diligently to achieve the set goals.
Addressing concerns about a decline in VAT collection during the initial months of the fiscal year compared to the previous year, Khosru noted that it is premature to make judgments. He stressed that tax collection is a process that grows over time and that initial challenges are common.
The Finance Minister acknowledged longstanding issues affecting revenue collection, emphasizing the need for gradual improvement and the importance of encouraging tax compliance without harassment. He remarked that while progress is being made, there is still room for further enhancement.
Regarding the World Bank's revised GDP growth projections for Bangladesh, which forecast a slowdown to 3.4% by FY27, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury adopted a "wait and see" approach. The World Bank's latest South Asia Economic Update also revised the forecast for FY26 to 3.4%, projecting South Asia's growth to increase to 6.9% in 2026 before moderating to 6.7% in 2027.