United News of Bangladesh

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) ended 2025 at the centre of Bangladesh’s growing fiscal challenge, struggling to raise higher revenue in a slowing economy while attempting long-promised reforms of a tax system criticised for inefficiency, discretion and a narrow base. The year unfolded as a mix of reform initiatives, technology-driven upgrades and aggressive policy moves, alongside deep-rooted structural weaknesses and unprecedented institutional unrest within the revenue administration. Together, these factors shaped a year of cautious transition, missed targets and unresolved debates over the future of tax reform. At a broader level, NBR’s revenue performance reflected the country’s macroeconomic stress. Sluggish imports caused by foreign exchange constraints, weak domestic demand and cautious private investment reduced traditional revenue flows. Despite repeated assurances of improved efficiency, revenue collection fell short of targets for much of the year. Bangladesh’s continued dependence on a small taxpayer base and import-stage taxes again proved risky. Customs duties and import-based VAT, long the strongest pillars of revenue, came under pressure as import controls were tightened to stabilise the balance of payments. Revenue mobilisation faced further strain in the first five months of FY2025–26. Between July and November, NBR collected about Tk 1.49 lakh crore, posting nearly 15 percent year-on-year growth but missing the target by around Tk 24,000 crore. Officials blamed weak import growth for the shortfall, which directly hit customs revenue. Income tax collection recorded double-digit growth but still lagged behind expectations due to limited compliance, a narrow tax base and slower business activity. VAT performed relatively better, supported by price adjustments and enforcement efforts, but also failed to meet targets. The shortfall comes as the government faces mounting pressure to finance rising expenditure, including debt servicing and social protection programmes, while cutting reliance on bank borrowing. Analysts warn that without faster progress on automation, administration reform and compliance, meeting the annual revenue target will remain difficult. One area of progress was taxpayer registration. The number of Taxpayer Identification Number holders rose to more than 10.2 million, up from around nine million a few years ago. However, only about four million taxpayers submitted income tax returns, underscoring the challenge of turning registration into actual compliance. VAT remained central to domestic revenue efforts. Although the NBR took steps to expand registration and promote electronic invoicing, progress was uneven. About 644,000 businesses are registered for VAT, a small fraction of the total number of operating enterprises. Traders continue to cite complexity, compliance costs and discretionary enforcement as major obstacles. Technology-based reforms became more visible during the year. Expanded use of ASYCUDA World, automated customs bond management and new digital modules at land ports were rolled out. However, taxpayers frequently reported system disruptions and ongoing manual intervention, highlighting gaps between policy design and practical implementation. Policy volatility also drew criticism. The NBR issued numerous exemptions and adjustments through statutory regulatory orders during the year, raising concerns about predictability, lobbying influence and unequal treatment across sectors. The most defining episode of 2025 was the unprecedented agitation by NBR officials following the promulgation of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025. Protests disrupted operations for nearly two months, slowed revenue collection and exposed internal tensions over reform ownership. Although full-scale strikes were later withdrawn, unease within the organisation has yet to fully subside. NBR enables election aspirants to file online tax returns Adding to the pressure, the government raised the NBR’s revenue target for FY2025–26 to around Tk 5.54 lakh crore from Tk 4.99 lakh crore at mid-year, despite ongoing economic headwinds. As 2025 ends, the NBR stands at a crossroads. While reform intent is evident and digital foundations are being laid, analysts argue that durable progress will require simpler laws, fewer exemptions, credible dispute resolution and a shift towards a partnership-based tax culture. Whether reform ambitions can translate into lasting institutional change remains one of Bangladesh’s most critical fiscal questions heading into 2026

The results of the DUCSU election have started to come out hall by hall. In Amar Ekushey and Sufia Kamal Halls, Vice President candidate Shadik Kayem, backed by the Shibir-supported Oikoboddho Shikkharthi Jote, took a big lead with 1,914 votes. His closest rival, BNP-backed candidate Md Abidul Islam Khan, got 564 votes. The announcement of hall results began at 1:45 am, with each hall declaring its winners one by one. The Shibir-backed panel's other candidates also performed strongly, and hold leads for the post of general secretary and assistant general secretary as well    More to come...  

The eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy' 2025 is set to begins on February 19, 2025 in Pakistan in promises to deliver intense cricketing action among the top teams in the world. Hosts Pakistan will play New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi Bangladesh is likely to start their campaign taking on their giant neighbor India on the following day (February 20) at neutral venue in Dubai. BCB announces much-needed pay rise for women cricketers with central contracts The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash will take place on February 23. The highly anticipated tournament, hosted by Pakistan, will feature eight teams divided into two groups, will play across the Pakistani city of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.  Grouping of Champions Trophy : Group A: Pakistan, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh Group B: South Africa, England, Australia, Afghanistan U-19 cricketers get cash bonus from BCB for Asia Cup triumph As per latest ICC ruling, all the matches of the Indian team will be held in neutral venue, likely in Dubai,  as per its hybrid deal. The grand final will commence on March 9, 2025, with March 10 reserved as the backup day Tentative schedule of the Champions Trophy. Date Time (IST) Venue Match February 19, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi Pakistan vs New Zealand February 20, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Bangladesh vs India February 21, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi Afghanistan vs South Africa February 22, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Australia vs England February 23, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Pakistan vs India February 24, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Bangladesh vs New Zealand February 25, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Australia vs South Africa February 26, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Afghanistan vs England February 27, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Pakistan vs Bangladesh February 28, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Afghanistan vs Australia March 1, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi South Africa vs England March 2, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral New Zealand vs India March 4, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Semi-Final A1 vs B2 March 5, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Semi-Final B1 vs A2 March 9, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Final March 10, 2025 - Neutral Reserve Day  

As 2024 winds down, the arrival of 2025 offers a fresh slate to set new goals, embrace change, and build momentum in both personal and professional endeavors. Whether you’re planning to level up your career, focus on health, or strengthen relationships, the new year is a perfect opportunity to realign and recharge. Here are actionable tips to help you start 2025 with clarity, motivation, and a renewed sense of purpose. Ways to Prepare for the New Year . Reflect on Successes Before preparing for the new year, look back on the small to big accomplishments in the passing year of 2024. Feeling content for successes in your personal life, academic, or professional career will boost your confidence and encourage you to start 2025 with determination. Review Unfulfilled Goals and Challenges Take time to look at the resolutions and goals of 2024. It is quite normal to have unfulfilled dreams and uncherished desires this year. Try to recognize shortcomings in efforts and identify challenges. This can prevent you from making similar mistakes. Thus, you can overcome the passing year’s challenges and set attainable goals for the year ahead. Read Social Media Addiction: How to detach yourself from the cycle Start Gratitude Journaling  In the coming year, you can start the habit of journaling. Nowadays, many free Android and iOS apps are available for online journaling. Those are simple to use. You can also maintain a paper diary for this purpose. You can write down moments of happiness and gratitude due to achievements in your personal life, academics, or professional career. Any memorable incident, such as an exciting traveling experience, that occurred in the passing year can also be mentioned in the journal. A grateful mind will help you start the new year with an optimistic mindset. Set Attainable Goals New Year's resolutions often remain unfulfilled because people tend to set big, hard-to-achieve, overwhelming, and sometimes unrealistic goals. To avoid this, consider what you want to accomplish in your personal, academic, and professional life in 2025. Now, break down big goals into smaller, achievable steps or objectives. Focus on mental health, physical health, career, relationships, learning, etc. Read How to let go of a lifelong dream and embrace a new one? Depending on specific goals, the objectives may involve actions like yoga, meditation, seeking therapy, reducing stress, joining a gym, fostering better work-life balance, learning new skills, aiming for a promotion or scholarship, pursuing new opportunities, etc. Declutter Physical and Digital Spaces A clean and tidy environment in your living and workspace can help you create a fresh start for the New Year.  You can schedule time to clean different rooms and areas of your home. The free spaces, empty walls, and cleaned areas can be used for diverse purposes, like adding handy furniture or simply doing artistic decoration. Decluttering your wardrobe is also necessary to separate old and unused clothes and accessories. You can send those for donations or resell. Read IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long Healthy life Removing unwanted gadgets and documents can give you scope to decorate your office or workspace smartly. Furthermore, digital decluttering like cleaning up your email inbox, updating old software, and backing up necessary files can make the screens and interfaces of your smartphone, laptop, and computer safer, more user-friendly, and more organized. Set Financial Plan Skillfully Review your finances for the passing year of 2024. Check the inventories of your earnings, expenditures, and savings. Try to find the sectors of overspending so that you can avoid wasting money on the same things in 2025. It would be wise to set a budget and plan for any upcoming expenses. Nowadays, many financial management apps are available on Google Play and iOS platforms that can help you manage finances in everyday life. Moreover, look for new possibilities of additional income opportunities and more savings in the coming year. Setting achievable and organised financial goals can help you increase your bank credits at the end of the year. Read How to find your passion for a more fulfilling career?