DHAKA, April 22, 2026 (BSS)- National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan today mentioned that they are moving away from its traditional reliance on customs duty adjustments, opting instead to dismantle non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to drive macroeconomic recovery. 

"The current fiscal planning cycle will prioritize the elimination of administrative hurdles and regulatory bottlenecks-such as customs bureaucracy and logistics congestion-to lower the cost of doing business and provide critical relief to the nation's entrepreneurs," he said.

The NBR chief made these remarks while speaking at a pre-budget meeting for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) at NBR conference room in the city.

By shifting focus toward NTBs, he said, the NBR aims to align Bangladesh more closely with international trade standards and WTO compliance, moving the needle from a tariff-heavy protectionist model toward one defined by operational efficiency and global competitiveness.

Abdur Rahman Khan noted that the NBR intends to provide a sanctuary for compliant businesses by reducing systemic harassment, while simultaneously launching an aggressive campaign to bring those operating outside the tax net into the fold. 

For foreign investors and domestic conglomerates alike, he said, the move is framed as an effort to ensure a level playing field.

"There will be no leniency in identifying and bringing tax evaders under the tax net, with the ultimate goal of reducing the tax burden and eliminating harassment for truly compliant taxpayers," he added.

The Chairman signaled that the NBR has reached a floor, suggesting there is little room for further statutory rate cuts.

Instead, the NBR is pivoting its attention to the effective tax rate-the actual fiscal burden businesses face after accounting for compliance complexities and exemptions. 

By broadening the VAT net, he said, the NBR hopes to stabilize the fiscal environment, ensuring that the effective burden does not rise for the compliant few who currently carry the bulk of the revenue load.

The chief also mentioned that the NBR will launch a comprehensive digital filing system for corporate taxpayers starting next year.

"A streamlined online refund mechanism, a long-standing demand of the business community to ease liquidity constraints, is currently in its final implementation stages," he added.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), all chambers of the Dhaka Division, Mymensingh Chamber of Commerce and Industries and all chambers of Mymensingh district and Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry and all chambers of Sylhet district took part at the meeting.