Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed today criticised long-term tax exemption beneficiaries who, despite receiving benefits for over 50 years, continue to making demands for further protections.

"We have been taking care of the infant (business sectors) over the last 50 years with tax benefits, including tax waiver and incentives. Some are still demanding protection, meaning they are still infants," Ahmed said.

The adviser made the remarks while speaking at a programme to observe National VAT Day, organised by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at its headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon.

"I am not naming any specific sectors, but those days are behind us now," he added.

Different business sectors must shift away from this dependency culture, as Bangladesh moves toward graduating from the least developed country category in 2026, Ahmed also said.

"If we don't discard this mindset, we won't be able to compete globally," he warned.

He also urged NBR officials to remain vigilant to prevent tax evasion.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan stated that the government provides tax exemptions for the welfare of the nation.

"However, we must now focus on stricter enforcement to boost revenue collection," he said.