New NBR Chief Sets Tk6 Lakh Cr Target, Urges Trade Focus

Ahsan Habib, the newly appointed acting chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has called on field-level officials to prioritize trade facilitation and unity to meet the Tk6 lakh crore revenue target for FY2026-27. During a virtual meeting, Habib—who also serves as acting secretary of the Internal Resources Division—urged staff to move past internal differences to strengthen national collection efforts.

Habib emphasized that the ambitious target is achievable if the organization works collectively, minimizes tax evasion, and ensures taxpayers are not harassed. He instructed officials to develop short- and medium-term roadmaps and advised staff to dedicate at least five hours of focused work daily to improve efficiency.

Faster Case Disposal: Expediting VAT audits and resolving cases pending before the High Court to unlock stuck revenue. Operational Efficiency Eliminating file backlogs and prioritizing trade-friendly processes.

Restoring Morale: Addressing the lack of confidence following mid-2025 protests that saw many officials face disciplinary actions or punitive transfers.

Habib noted the significance of his appointment as the first NBR chairman chosen from within the organization’s own ranks, calling on officials to uphold the agency's dignity. Field officers expressed that institutional support for enforcement drives is essential to reversing the current slump in revenue collection