PRAN-RFL Group Chairman and CEO Ahsan Khan Chowdhury has emphasised that rationalising tax and VAT rates is crucial for the smooth functioning of the country.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion titled 'Additional Tax Burden on Consumers: What to Do to Overcome,' organised by Jagonews24.com at the MCCI Conference Hall in Gulshan on Wednesday (February 12), Ahsan Khan stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between the government and businesses to drive economic growth.
"To move the country forward, we need businesses to create employment and generate revenue. The government must increase communication with the business community," he said.
Ahsan Khan urged the government to avoid informal tax hikes and instead focus on consultations with stakeholders.
"Let the situation continue as it is without increasing taxes arbitrarily. Start consultations. We want to engage more with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to discuss how to expand the tax net," he added.
He warned that imposing excessive tax burdens only on compliant businesses would harm the economy. "If only law-abiding organisations are taxed heavily, good businesses will not survive. Employment will not grow, living standards will not improve, and commerce will stagnate," he said.
Citing current tax collection figures, Ahsan Khan noted that Bangladesh collects Tk 4.8 lakh crore annually in taxes and VAT, amounting to Tk 17,905 per capita. "We need to work together to improve this figure. The NBR should sit with us and other thinkers to find ways to enhance revenue collection without overburdening businesses," he suggested.
He criticised mid-year tax increases on essential goods, saying, "Raising taxes, VAT, and customs duties on daily necessities in the middle of the year will only harm the country. It will not yield any positive outcomes."
Ahsan Khan called for stronger government-business collaboration, saying, "It’s time to strengthen the relationship between the government and the business community. We need to engage in meaningful dialogue."
Addressing the interim government, he advised, "We want to offer guidance on how to collect taxes reasonably and move the country forward. It’s time to move away from the fantasy of simply increasing tax rates and focus on sustainable solutions."
The roundtable featured prominent economists and industry leaders, including Dr Mustafa K Mujeri, former Director General of BIDS, economist Dr MM Akash, Khandaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director at the CPD, Dr M Masrur Riaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group, Rezaul Hasan, former member of the NBR, Mohammad Hatem, President of the BKMEA, Ashraf Ahmed, former President of the DCCI, SM Nazer Hossain, Vice President of the CAB, Saif Uddin Nasir, Managing Director of SMC Enterprise Limited, Faria Yasmin, Chief Business Officer of ACI Foods, Mohiuddin Rubel and Rajib Chowdhury, former Directors of the BGMEA, Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, President of the Bangladesh Auto Biscuit and Bread Manufacturers Association, Daulat Akhter Mala, President of the Economic Reporters Forum, Md Zakir Hossain, General Secretary of the Supermarket Owners Association, and Saiful Hossain, former banker.
The discussion was moderated by Jago News Acting Editor KM Zeaul Haque and hosted by Chief Reporter Ibrahim Hussain Ovi.