NBR to review draft project proposal for RAMP today
Monday, 3 December 2007
FE Report
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will hold a meeting today (Monday) to review the current status of the draft Development Project Proposal (DPP) being prepared for the Revenue Administration Modernisation Project (RAMP).
Sources said the government in collaboration with the World Bank (WB) is expected to launch the project --RAMP-- from next financial year in order to turn its revenue collection process time-bound and effective.
All NBR members are expected to participate in the meeting to discuss the next course of action while its chairman Md Abdul Mazid is likely to preside.
"We are actively considering the launching of the RAMP shortly in order to bring efficiency and dynamism in the entire customs administration," a senior NBR official said.
He said the multilateral lender - WB - has already assured the government of providing necessary fund to implement the project.
When asked, the official said the World Bank's financing might range between $70 and $80 million for implementation of the RAMP.
"Once the draft is complete, we will approach the WB through proper channel for finalising the negotiation on their financial assistance," he said.
"If everything goes as per plan, the proposed project will kick off by July next year," he said and added the government is expected to sign the funding agreement with the WB within the next few months.
When asked, sources said bringing about major structural changes in the tax administration, simplification of revenue collection procedures and development of human resources are top among the project agenda.
Sources said the proposed project will be a follow-up of the existing 'Modernisation and Automation Project', which was launched earlier for enhancing the administrative capacity of the NBR.
About the main objectives of the project, sources said boosting the government's revenue collection through upgrading the capacity of the tax officials will be its prime thrust.
Rationalisation of tariff structures, establishment of separate large taxpayers' units for VAT and income tax, setting up of a central intelligence wing and creation of a central audit wing were among the major outcomes of the reform programmes undertaken earlier, they added.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will hold a meeting today (Monday) to review the current status of the draft Development Project Proposal (DPP) being prepared for the Revenue Administration Modernisation Project (RAMP).
Sources said the government in collaboration with the World Bank (WB) is expected to launch the project --RAMP-- from next financial year in order to turn its revenue collection process time-bound and effective.
All NBR members are expected to participate in the meeting to discuss the next course of action while its chairman Md Abdul Mazid is likely to preside.
"We are actively considering the launching of the RAMP shortly in order to bring efficiency and dynamism in the entire customs administration," a senior NBR official said.
He said the multilateral lender - WB - has already assured the government of providing necessary fund to implement the project.
When asked, the official said the World Bank's financing might range between $70 and $80 million for implementation of the RAMP.
"Once the draft is complete, we will approach the WB through proper channel for finalising the negotiation on their financial assistance," he said.
"If everything goes as per plan, the proposed project will kick off by July next year," he said and added the government is expected to sign the funding agreement with the WB within the next few months.
When asked, sources said bringing about major structural changes in the tax administration, simplification of revenue collection procedures and development of human resources are top among the project agenda.
Sources said the proposed project will be a follow-up of the existing 'Modernisation and Automation Project', which was launched earlier for enhancing the administrative capacity of the NBR.
About the main objectives of the project, sources said boosting the government's revenue collection through upgrading the capacity of the tax officials will be its prime thrust.
Rationalisation of tariff structures, establishment of separate large taxpayers' units for VAT and income tax, setting up of a central intelligence wing and creation of a central audit wing were among the major outcomes of the reform programmes undertaken earlier, they added.