Second Revenue Conference on August 18; PM to Inaugurate

According to NBR sources, the main objective of the conference is to bring the three revenue wings—income tax, VAT and customs—onto a single platform and determine the existing challenges, prospects and future reform roadmap of the revenue system.

In addition to the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Prime Minister's economic affairs adviser, the chiefs of the three armed forces, and experts, policymakers and business representatives related to the economy, revenue and trade sectors will attend the conference. Around 1,500 guests are expected to be present.

To ensure the successful organization of the conference, six sub-committees have been formed to perform various duties including decoration, security, guest hospitality, guest list preparation and reception. In addition, a 31-member central steering committee has been formed for overall supervision. NBR's acting chairman Ahsan Habib has been made its president and Syed Mahidul Hasan, Director General of the Tax Inspection Directorate, has been made member secretary.

NBR officials said preparations for the conference have already been intensified. After the inaugural ceremony, various stalls related to revenue collection, tax net expansion and modern revenue management will be opened to the general visitors.

In this regard, a senior NBR official said the conference will highlight efforts to increase awareness among people and businesses about the revenue system, remove the existing negative perception about NBR, and modernize the tax, VAT and customs systems. At the same time, the Prime Minister and NBR's new chairman will present directives on future revenue reforms and administration.

Earlier, in February 2023, the first revenue conference in the country's history was held. During that two-day conference, documentary screenings on NBR activities, separate seminars on income tax, VAT and customs, information booths, and a 'Revenue Museum' exhibition based on the history of the revenue system were organized.

In the first conference, special emphasis was given to increasing revenue collection, inclusion of new taxpayers, preventing tax and VAT evasion, curbing smuggling, and building a culture of voluntary tax payment. In addition, income tax e-return, online TIN and BIN registration, e-payment, customs automation, risk-based audit, and data analytics-based revenue management were highlighted as future priorities.

This year's conference is being held at a time when the government is giving utmost priority to increasing revenue collection, expanding the tax net and structural reform of revenue administration. According to those concerned, the recommendations of the second revenue conference will play an important role in modernizing the country's revenue system and achieving sustainable economic growth.