United News of Bangladesh

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed will sit with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials to discuss its reform issues on Tuesday. The meeting will start at 3:30 pm at the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, said Al Amin Sheikh, public relations officer of NBR. Besides, a six-hour fresh pen-down strike enforced by the NBR Reform Unity Council was observed on Sunday to press home their demands for sustainable and inclusive NBR reform. The Council’s key demands include the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Revenue Ordinance, public disclosure of the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s report and a comprehensive reform of the revenue system through meaningful consultations with stakeholders like NBR officials, business associations, civil society members and political leaders. The Unity Council emphasised their desire for a peaceful resolution through dialogue with the government. “We hope the government will sit down with us for discussions. Let us make it clear—our door for dialogue has always been open, remains open and will continue to remain open,” said a statement on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, a five-hour pen-down strike was spontaneously observed from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm across various offices under the Customs, VAT and Tax departments, as well as the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Officials and employees at all levels participated in the programme, with stakeholders from various sectors expressing solidarity with the movement. NBR split logical, protests regrettable: Prof Abu Ahmed In their statement, the Council reiterated that a timely and sustainable reform of the revenue system is essential for national interest. They noted that NBR officials have long been demanding such reforms and yet the government issued the ordinance without consulting the very stakeholders responsible for its implementation. Besides, the report from the reform committee formed by the government has not been made public or discussed. According to the Council, such a top-down approach to reform could severely destabilise the country’s revenue administration.      

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard will not affect the bilateral relations between the two countries or Bangladesh’s economy. “Tulsi Gabbard’s comments will have no impact on our bilateral ties or economic activities,” he told reporters following the meeting of the Advisers’ Council Committee on Government Purchase. When asked about clearing congestion at Chattogram Port, Dr Salehuddin said the situation has improved. Talks just beginning between Trump's cabinet and Bangladesh govt: Tulsi Gabbard to NDTV Regarding reports of soybean oil floating near a cargo ship, he acknowledged the issue, saying, “We are aware of the matter. Traders often employ different tactics, and we are working to address them. The more strategic they become, the more vigilant we need to be.” On the question of possible negligence, the Finance Adviser said, “The Ministry of Commerce has been asked about the issue and they have handled it efficiently.”

Commerce and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday said Bangladesh has the enormous opportunity to make the leather and footwear items very good products in the export basket.  “Leather sector is very prospective for export diversification. For export diversification the leather sector is a very good item. This sector has prospects and problems as well,” he said while briefing reporters after holding a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association and Bangladesh Tanners Association at his Finance Ministry office. He mentioned that they have discussed various issues related to the prospects and problems of the leather sector. “We have discussed all the problems. Why they have been shifted to Savar, what the environmental situation is in there, their financing (problems), their certification to export leathers, we have discussed all these points,” he said. In the meeting, the Adviser said, they have discussed everything to make these leather and footwear items big export products for the country. “And this sector has every possibility for this upgrade,” he said. The adviser also mentioned that leather is a raw material and it is locally produced. “This is a big advantage for us.” Government aims to simplify business, trade: Commerce Adviser Bangladesh leather industry comprises the components of tanning and finishing, footwear and footwear components, leather accessories and leather goods, e.g. bags, wallets, belts, accessories, etc. Products such as fabric-based footwear are also now being produced in Bangladesh for global retailers. International brands like Adidas, Aldo, Timberland, Marks & Spencer, Steve Madden, Esprit, ABC Mart, Nike and K-Mart, Sears etc. are sourcing leather goods or footwear from Bangladesh. European countries are the main markets for leather and leather products in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh also exports to the United States, Japan, UK, China and a few other countries. The leather sector of Bangladesh includes 200 tanneries, 3,500 MSMEs, 2500 footwear making units and 90 large firms. Bangladesh meets the demand for about 10% of the world’s total leather market. Recently, a sustainable 205 industrial units Tannery Estate has been developed with CETP and STP and the production of eco-friendly leather and linkage industries-packing, lasts, adhesives, outsoles are growing rapidly. The Bangladesh government has taken many steps to upgrade the industry. The government has already set up a modern leather industrial estate in Savar and two more leather industrial parks will be set up in Chattogram and Rajshahi for unlocking the huge potentials of the country’s leather sector. Tanneries of the Hazaribagh area have been shifted to a modern environment-friendly tannery estate in Savar. Tanners have now the option to build their industrial unit by applying modern concepts. They can add updated hydraulic and pneumatic machines, apply the latest production processes, and use technology upgrades.