National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan on Sunday said that unprecedented steps have been taken in the proposed budget for fiscal year FY2026-27 to create a deregulated environment for businesses.
"For a long time, export-oriented businesses have been demanding the expansion of bonded warehouse facilities. Previously, those who did not own a bonded warehouse faced numerous complications in collecting raw materials from bond-facilitated institutions. The new budget has eliminated these limitations," the NBR chief said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest while addressing a seminar titled "Analysis of Finance Bill 2026-27" at the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital on Sunday afternoon.
The NBR Chairman explained that apparel exporters with bonded warehouses can now smoothly sell raw materials to other exporters who lack such facilities. "This decision will immensely benefit the country's backward linkage industries and enhance the capability of local industries," he added.
He further noted that the previous continuous bond facility was restricted, requiring approval from the commissionerate to import raw materials for another institution. This facility has now been expanded to the inter-commissionerate level.
Furthermore, bond licenses will now be accessible to entrepreneurs across any sector upon application, moving away from the previous practice where only a few selected sectors enjoyed the privilege.
For businesses that do not wish to take a bond license but are interested in duty-free imports, the NBR has introduced a new option allowing them to import duty-free raw materials against bank guarantees, the Chairman announced.
Highlighting reforms in the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) facility, which allows businesses fast-track customs clearance without regular physical inspections at ports, the NBR chief said that the mandatory requirement of submitting audit reports has been relaxed. This relaxation aims to encourage more businesses to apply, as audit reports are often delayed outside the taxpayers' control.
The NBR Chairman also disclosed a major revenue-protection initiative, stating that the revenue board will introduce QR codes on cigarette packets to verify tax compliance.
He revealed that around 15 percent of cigarettes in the market currently go untaxed due to false manufacturing or import declarations. "Once the QR codes are implemented on cigarette packets, the scope for tax evasion will be eliminated, enabling the state to realize an additional Tk 2,000 crore in revenue," Dr. Khan stated.
The seminar was presided over by ERF President Doulat Akhter and moderated by the organization's General Secretary Abul Kashem. NBR Second Secretary (VAT) Badruzzaman Munshi and First Secretary (Customs Policy) Tareq Hassan, among other high officials, were also present at the event.