DHAKA, Jan 26, 2022 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur
Razzaque today asked the customs officials to work sincerely to
prevent money laundering.

“Huge amount of money goes abroad from Bangladesh through
over-invoicing and under-invoicing. The issue is constantly being
discussed and criticized. Here you (customs) can play an important
role. Digitisation will play an important role here. If the system is
digital, the chances of tax evasion are reduced. We need to increase
our efficiency and reduce the chances of cheating,” he said.

The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar
organized by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at InterContinental
Hotel in the city on the occasion of the ‘Internaltion Customs Day’.

Today, Bangladesh is observing International Customs Day as a member
country of the World Customs Organisation with the theme of "Scaling
up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and
Building a Data Ecosystem".

Among others, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)
President Md Jashim Uddin spoke on the occasion.

NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem presided over the seminar.

In his speech, Razzaque said NBR has a big role to play so that no
businessman can launder money aboard.  Digitisation has taken place in
many areas of customs, but scopes are still there for more
digitisation, he added.

He said he would like to change the negative mindset of the general
people towards customs.

Once customs was considered only as a tool for revenue generation, but
it is now playing a big role in the development of the local industry,
he added.

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said the negative perception of the general
public about the customs department and bureaucracy is being
dispelled.

He called upon the tax authorities to work diligently for the economic
development of the people of the country and further facilitation of
trade and commerce.

Md Jashim Uddin said the sectors that have the potential to attract
new investments should be more active to find out new investors.