DHAKA, Jan 14, 2025 (BSS) - The Anti-Discrimination Reform Council of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has urged the government to take initiatives for boosting revenue collection through alternative ways.

The council convener Zakir Hossain Nayan made the call at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club here today.

He also suggested the government to take measures for increasing revenues by reducing expenditure in the unproductive sectors and ensuring transparency. 

Other members of the council including former FBCCI Vice-President Abul Kashem Haider, President of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) Abdul Huq, member of FBCCI's supporting committee Gias Uddin Khokon, General Secretary of Supershop Market Owners Association and Member Secretary of FBCCI's Anti-Discrimination Reform Council Zakir Hossain were present, among others, on the occasion. 

Zakir Hossain Nayan, in a written statement at the press conference, said that it is important to widen the tax net instead of increasing the tax rates so that the same taxpayer is not always pressured to pay taxes. 

He called upon the government for reconsidering the already taken decision for raising VAT and supplementary duty in order to accelerate the country's normal economic activities, taking into account the concerns of the common people. 

Nayan suggested that instead of increasing gas tariff, emphasis should be given on the proper and appropriate use of gas by preventing gas wastage and disconnecting illegal connections for the sake of local industries. 

He called upon all concerned to ensure a business-friendly environment and business-friendly revenue management to expedite the country's economic development. 

Nayan also urged the government to reduce the interest rates on bank loans, to keep the foreign exchange rate stable, keep the prices and supply chain of essential items normal, ensure uninterrupted power and gas supply, eliminate traffic congestions, increase the capacity of ports and strengthen trade facilitation operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Huq alleged that $10 billion were laundered abroad by just a single business group while they had put the country's economic sovereignty into a terrible state. 

He demanded for ensuring strict punishment of those who have laundered abroad billions of dollars abroad over the years and thus confiscate their assets. Otherwise, they would try to destabilize the government in various means with the laundered money, added Huq.