Despite significant hikes in tobacco taxes and product prices, government revenue from the sector fell in the 2024–25 fiscal year, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan said on Monday.
Speaking at a seminar held at the NBR headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon area, Khan attributed the decline to a rise in illegal cigarette sales and unauthorized local manufacturing.
“We had raised tobacco taxes to as high as 83 percent and revised product prices in January, expecting an additional Tk10,000 crore in revenue. Instead, revenues dropped, mainly because of the spread of illicit and unlicensed cigarettes,” he explained.
The seminar, titled “Budgetary Measures in FY2025–26 on Income Tax, VAT, and Customs,” was also attended by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.
Khan said weak enforcement of laws at the local level contributed to the shortfall and acknowledged ongoing issues at entry points like airports in tackling the illegal import of mobile phones.
He noted that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is currently developing software to identify unauthorized handsets. “This project has been under process for a while. I don’t know why it hasn’t been completed yet. But once implemented, it will help limit the flow of untaxed mobile devices,” Khan added.
In response to a media query, the NBR chief clarified that Grameen Bank has not been given any special exemptions or privileges by the current administration.
LND/SAE
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