, Dec. 9 -- National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan on Tuesday (December 09, 2025) underscored the urgent need to expand the country's VAT and income tax base to reduce reliance on import-based revenue, strengthen fiscal stability, and support Bangladesh's development ambitions.

"Development goals and essential public services cannot be delivered unless adequate revenue is mobilised," he said at a "Meet the Press" event ahead of VAT Day and VAT Week held at the Revenue Building in the capital.

He said Bangladesh's progress and day-to-day administrative functions depend heavily on revenue collected by the state.

Bangladesh relied overwhelmingly on import duties in the early years of independence, with nearly 90 per...