FBCCI seeks steps to stop harassment by tax officials

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) on Thursday urged the government to take steps to end harassment of businessmen by tax officials, reports UNB.

At a discussion titled 'FBCCI ERP (Engage, Reflect and Plan of Action): Proposed National Budget and Finance Bill 2019-20' at a city hotel, it also called for revising VAT, income tax and import duty proposed in the national budget for 2019-20 fiscal year.

"Field-level tax officials harass businessmen in various ways. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced a zero tolerance policy against corruption. You (tax officials) should issue notices to us (FBCCI and chambers concerned) before taking the final step against businesses," said FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim.

He proposed withdrawal of advance tax (AT) from raw materials of industries and machinery.

Besides, tax officials' power to seize, arrest and freeze bank accounts should be scrapped, Fahim said.

The FBCCI president further proposed reduction of 2.5 per cent corporate tax and cancellation of whole 15 per cent tax on stock dividend.

BGMEA president Rubana Huq said their members are being harassed in various ways. "We'd urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) not to harass businesses without making any list of those engaged in wrongdoings but they don't listen to us. They start wholesale harassment without giving any list," she said.

Former FBCCI president Shafiul Islam (Mohiduddin) said the businessmen want a harassment-free environment in the country. "The business should be simplified for ease of doing business. Efficiency should be developed in the management."

Speaking at the programme as the chief guest, commerce minister Tipu Munshi said the national budget has been proposed with a goal to flourish the country. "The government is a business-friendly one and the country is an investment-friendly one. The government also wants to increase the investment here."

Claiming that there are so many good things in the proposed budget, he said if any issues is missing, it can be resolved through discussion after the passage of the budget in parliament.

The minister called upon the businessmen not to be frustrated as the government is very positive about them. "One per cent cash incentive has been given for the RMG industry."

About the scope provided in the budget to legalise black money, Tipu Munshi said he likes to call it undisclosed money instead of black money. "We want to increase investment in the country and create more employments here. We don't want that the money is siphoned off the country."

Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) of the Prime Minister's Office Abul Kalam Azad urged the businessmen to think about how to reduce the production cost and increase efficiency. "If you don't become competitive and enhance product quality, you can't survive in the world."

Former BGMEA president Siddiqur Rahman said they want to pay VAT and tax without any harassment.

FBCCI senior vice president Muntakim Ashraf and vice presidents Siddiqur Rahman, Rezaul Karim Rejnu and Mir Nizamuddin and representatives from different business organizations were present there.