Online Desk: Abu Hena Rahmatul Muneem, senior secretary at Internal Resources Division and chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR), has called for boosting the number of entrepreneurs for further development of the nation.

He mentioned that substantial and sustainable promotion of entrepreneurship is very important for bolstering the economic conditions together with employment generation in the region.

The NBR chairman was addressing a pre-budget discussion hosted by Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) at its conference hall yesterday as the chief guest.

NBR Chairman Rahmatul Muneem said entrepreneurship should be generated with own initiative without depending on others and that will be very much positive for uplifting the country’s economy.

NBR Members Masud Sadique, Hossain Ahmed and AKM Badiul Alam also addressed the meeting with RCCI President Masudur Rahman in the chair.

The NBR chief underscored the need to boost revenue income for successful implementation of the government’s development commitments.

He viewed that the enhanced revenue income could be an effective means of reducing dependence on foreign aid to implement the country’s development programmes.

Many of the attending businessmen underlined the need for bringing transparency and accountability to the tax and VAT collection system.

They recommended tax redemption, enhanced allocations for agricultural and industrial growth and establishing a special economic zone in the region.

Rahmatul Muneem said he would place the demands and recommendations before the government. “Government is taking an initiative to make tax laws people- friendly and encourage industrialists to invest in the north.”

Describing taxpayers as the driver of the economy, the NBR chief urged eligible taxpayers to supplement the government efforts.

Laying stress on enhancing revenue collection from both internal and external sources, he said it could be an effective means of reducing dependency on foreign aid for executing the uplift programmes.