UK to give Tk 1.0b to develop tax administration
FE Report | Wednesday, 2 July 2008
The United Kingdom (UK) has approved 7.0 million pound sterling (approximately Tk 1.0 billion) to the government of Bangladesh for Tax Administration Capacity and Taxpayer Services (TACTS) programme.
The 5-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, said a DFID press release.
TACTS will assist 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.
"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," Shahid Malik, the UK's Development Minister with responsibility for South Asia.
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," said Sarah Sanyahumbi, DFID Bangladesh Acting Country Representative.
"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," Sarah Sanyahumbi added.
The 5-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, said a DFID press release.
TACTS will assist 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.
"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," Shahid Malik, the UK's Development Minister with responsibility for South Asia.
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," said Sarah Sanyahumbi, DFID Bangladesh Acting Country Representative.
"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," Sarah Sanyahumbi added.