Md Asaduz Zaman

Reporter at The Daily Star, covering economics, planning and agriculture sectors in Bangladesh.

Panic grips NBR officials

ACC opens investigations into five more officials over alleged graft

3d ago

NBR crisis is the result of institutional egos clashing

Why should ordinary citizens bear the burden of a bureaucratic breakdown?

1w ago

Govt may scrap money whitening provision

The interim government is likely to scrap the provision that allows black money to be legalised through the purchase of apartments and land in the next fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, amid criticism from civil society groups, think tanks and watchdogs.

2w ago

Tk 141,000cr needed in June to attain tax goal

NBR faces Tk 141,000 crore June target; analysts cite target impossible

2w ago

NBR hikes advance tax on bus, truck operators up to 88%

The government proposes sharply increased commercial vehicle tax; operators warn of rising prices.

3w ago

Electric vehicle makers get VAT, duty waivers

In a bid to accelerate the shift to cleaner transport and promote domestic manufacturing, the interim government plans to roll out a series of tax benefits focusing on electric vehicles, including electric bicycles (e-bikes), and lithium and graphene batteries.

3w ago

Businesses decry turnover tax hike

The interim government’s proposal to raise the turnover tax from 0.6 percent to 1 percent from the next fiscal year has sparked an outcry among business leaders, who said the measure could deal a fresh blow to firms already struggling to stay afloat.

1m ago

No immediate tax relief despite inflation woes

Tax rates on income will remain the same as in fiscal 2024-25

1m ago
February 16, 2025
February 16, 2025

GDP may cross $500b for first time in FY26

The finance ministry is likely to project that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) will surpass the $500-billion mark for the first time in the upcoming fiscal year (FY), anticipating an economic rebound in FY 2025-26.

February 14, 2025
February 14, 2025

Development spending in Jul-Jan hits 15-year low

Implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) stood at just 21.52 percent in the first seven months of fiscal year 2024-25 as public works were weighed down by political unrest.

February 9, 2025
February 9, 2025

Rice bran oil export may face 25% regulatory duty

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to impose a fresh 25 percent regulatory duty on the export of crude and refined rice bran oil to discourage shipments and increase domestic supply.

February 8, 2025
February 8, 2025

Rice bran oil export may face 25% regulatory duty

An NBR notification may come this week to boost the oil’s domestic supply

February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025

Wage growth negative for 3 years as inflation outpaces pay rise

The wage growth rate stood at 8.16 percent in January, 1.78 percentage points below the inflation rate of 9.94 percent that month

January 27, 2025
January 27, 2025

Foreign loan surge in December brings some relief

A big chunk of foreign funds was provided as budgetary support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in December released $1.1 billion, leading to a rise in foreign aid disbursement and providing some relief to the government.

January 24, 2025
January 24, 2025

Economy slowing, negative revenue growth shows the sign

For Bangladesh, it is no longer the question of whether the economy is destined for a hard landing or a glide to a flat state; rather the question now is how deep the descent will be.

January 22, 2025
January 22, 2025

Potato imports facilitated despite massive price fall

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has allowed the use of nine more customs stations for the import of potatoes, specifically from Nepal and Bhutan, aiming to diversify supply sources and reduce dependency on India..The nine stations include Rohonpur in Chapainawabganj, Sonahat in Kurigra

January 13, 2025
January 13, 2025

VAT hike raises medicine prices

Healthcare seekers face higher prices for medicine due to the hike in value-added tax (VAT) on trades by pharmacies and drug stores.   

January 10, 2025
January 10, 2025

VAT shock in the middle of the fiscal year

The National Board of Revenue went ahead with its plan to hike value-added tax and supplementary duty on goods and services despite widespread concerns that the move will stoke inflation and slow down economic activities.