The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will start its pre-budget meetings with different stakeholders on March 27.
Representatives of 18 sectors will talk to the taxmen ahead of the FY2016-17 budget, according to the meeting schedule signed by chief budget coordinator Mohammad Akbar Hossain.
The pre-budget talks, which are usually attended by representatives of all the leading chambers, business organisations and associations, are a regular fixture every year and are intended to help create an inclusive budget.
NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman will chair the meetings which will continue until May 12.
Although the NBR earlier announced that Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and haor (wetlands) residents would be included at the talks for the first time ever this year, to ensure a truly participatory budget, their names were not found on the finalised list of participants.
This year, the revenue authorities are emphasising the use of digital tools, including video conferencing, as part of an effort to ensure the maximum participation of stakeholders.
This is going to be the first time that the taxman will hear opinions from divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners.
At the inaugural meeting on March 27, the NBR will hear from economists and professionals representing the Bangladesh Economic Association, Economic Research Group, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Policy Research Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
On March 29, the taxman will hear from hoteliers, restaurateurs and other service sector operators. The same meeting will also be attended by representatives from the paper, printing, publication, film and advertising firms and representatives of clinics and diagnostic centres.
On the following day, the NBR will sit with the construction sector – brick, sand, cement, steel, sanitary, ceramics and hardware manufacturers – and the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh. It will also meet pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic sector representatives. The meeting will be attended by small, medium and large businesses and industries in these categories.
On March 31, the NBR will sit with chambers from Chittagong, Chittagong clearing and forwarding agents, the Chittagong divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners.
On April 13, NBR will meet the Economic Reporters Forum and representatives of the print and electronic media.
A meeting with leading local chambers is scheduled for April 17. The NBR will sit with foreign chambers and the women’s chamber on April 18.
On April 19, the taxman will meet representatives of various export sectors including those sectors that enjoy bond facilities and those that do not.
The revenue authorities will meet chambers from Khulna and its divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners on April 20.
On April 21, it will meet the Barisal Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners of the division.
The NBR will hear from representatives of large taxpayers, including the Bangladesh Cigarette Manufacturers Association, Bangladesh Ceramic Wares Manufacturers Association and Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, on April 24.
On April 25, it will meet representatives from the agriculture and chemical sectors.
On the following day, a meeting is scheduled with representatives of the electrical, electronics and transport sectors, including representatives of the computer, ICT, telecommunications, automobile and transport sectors.
On May 5, the NBR will sit with Sylhet chambers and its divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners.
Discussions will be organised with financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and the two stock exchanges on May 8.
On May 9, the NBR will meet representatives of clearing and forwarding firms, shipping agents, freight forwarders, tax lawyers and indenting agents. It will also meet chartered accountants on the day.
The next day, the tax authorities will meet Rajshahi chambers and the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners of Rajshahi.
The last meeting, on May 12, will be with the Rangpur Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners of Rangpur.
Once the meetings are concluded, the NBR will meet the finance minister at the NBR – Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Consultative Committee Meeting later in May.
Business representatives will be able to make recommendations directly to the finance minister at that meeting.
The next budget will be placed in parliament in early June for the coming July-June fiscal year.
With the annual budget, the government brings amendments to existing laws and rules related to customs, VAT and income tax to maximise revenue earnings; provides protection to local industries; facilitates international trade and solves procedural complexities in revenue collection.
