Academics, financial experts, and industry professionals on Tuesday called for a comprehensive and strategic digitalisation of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to enhance efficiency, ensure transparency, and support Bangladesh’s long-term economic growth.
They made the call at a seminar titled “Journey from Analog to Digital: The Rationale, Country Practices, and Digitalizing National Board of Revenue for Economic Growth of Bangladesh”, organised by Emerging Credit Rating Ltd (ECRL) at its head office in the capital.
The seminar featured an in-depth discussion on the barriers and opportunities in transforming the NBR into a fully digital tax authority, aligning with the country’s “Developed Bangladesh 2041” vision, according to a press release.
Chaired by ECRL Chairman and lead author Jamaluddin Ahmed and moderated by its CEO Arifur Rahman, the seminar brought together a distinguished panel of speakers, including Chief Guest Waresul Karim, dean of the School of Business and Economics at North South University.
Other panellists included Mizanur Rahman, Data Warehouse Expert with the Australian Government; Syed Mortuza Asif Ehsan, head of the Economics Department at NSU; and Ziaul Haq Adnan, head of NSU’s Management Department.
In his keynote, Jamaluddin presented a comprehensive paper outlining a roadmap for NBR’s digital transformation, stressing that the move from analogue to digital is not merely a technical shift but a national economic necessity.
Citing global best practices from countries such as South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and India, he,said Bangladesh must adopt a phased, strategic approach tailored to its unique challenges—particularly its vast informal sector and low tax compliance.
Chief Guest Waresul sounded an alarm over Bangladesh’s fiscal state, pointing to a dangerously low tax-to-GDP ratio and an expanding national debt. “Bangladesh is on the brink of imminent financial collapse,” he warned, adding that citizens cannot expect Western-level public services without embracing tax responsibility.
He proposed bold solutions, including an "expenditure tax" to track luxury spending, and shared a personal anecdote to highlight widespread corruption, involving a bribe attempt made in cash and gold to a tax official.
Mizanur Rahman provided a detailed technical framework to combat tax evasion, estimating billions of dollars are lost annually due to non-compliance. His roadmap included Mandatory e-filing and digital payments, AI-powered cross-checking of bank data, Integration of NBR with land registry, customs, and RJSC and Use of blockchain for secure e-invoicing, citing India's GSTN system as a model.
He noted that although the transformation would require significant investment, it would vastly expand the taxpayer base and dramatically reduce corruption in the long run.
Syed Mortuza described digitalisation as a “game changer” for Bangladesh’s economy but stressed the need for institutional reforms—particularly separating policy-making from operational implementation within the tax administration.
Ziaul Haq called for simplifying tax processes, proposing a low, flat tax rate to encourage broader compliance. He also suggested rebranding the TIN as a Social Security Number to build public trust and advocated for homegrown technology solutions to ensure data sovereignty.
The seminar concluded with a unified call for bold leadership, legislative reforms, and a national mind-set shift. Speakers agreed that digitalising the NBR is not just a technical upgrade but a social and political imperative for achieving fiscal stability and long-term growth.
