Press Release
1 July 2008
UK provides £7 million for tax reform in Bangladesh
The UK has approved £7 million (approximately Taka 100 crore) to the Government
of Bangladesh for a programme called Tax Administration Capacity and Taxpayer
Services (TACTS). This five-year programme will support the National Board of
Revenue (NBR) to increase the number of taxpayers, promote transparency and
public trust in the revenue administration system and to increase public
revenue.
TACTS will assist the NBR in implementing a comprehensive programme on taxpayer
services aiming to improve outreach to the public. This will include improving
the availability of information by setting up one-stop service centres and web
based systems. In addition, the functioning of the Large Taxpayer Units and the
Central Intelligence Cell of the NBR will be strengthened.
Shahid Malik, the UK’s Development Minister with responsibility for South Asia,
said:
"With one of the lowest tax revenue collection rates in the world, it is vital
for Bangladesh to develop a sustainable source of domestic resources.
"Bangladesh is currently developing a new National Strategy for Accelerated
Poverty Reduction. Implementation of this will require a boost in resources to
finance the country’s long term plans for improved health and education
services, better infrastructure and growth.
"I am pleased that we can usefully support Bangladesh to strengthen revenue
collection so that it can finance its expenditure needs. Particularly so that in
the future Bangladesh will be in a position to no longer need aid from donors
like the UK."
Sarah Sanyahumbi, DFID Bangladesh Acting Country Representative said:
"This project will build capacity in the NBR to provide a better service to the
citizens and businesses of Bangladesh. For the private sector in particular,
concrete improvements in the processes around paying taxes will go a long way to
reducing costs and improving competitiveness, for example compared to
neighbouring countries."
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Notes to editors
The UK has supported the NBR between 2002-2008 through the Reforms in Revenue
Administration (RIRA) project, which established the Large Taxpayer Units for
VAT and Income Tax as well as the Central Intelligence Cell.
The UK is a long standing partner and the largest bilateral grant donor to
Bangladesh. Total development spending has totalled £480 million over the last
four years.
For more information, please contact Aloysius Milon Khan, Press Officer DFID
Bangladesh, mobile phone: 01713 14 99 15, email:
AM-Khan@dfid.gov.uk.
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