NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan-File photo

DHAKA, April 29, 2025 (BSS) - National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan today expressed his optimism about resolving issues with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), paving the way for the release of the third and fourth tranches of the $4.7 billion loan programme.

"They (IMF) are suggesting us to open the exchange rate, in lieu we're placing various types of formulas, the discussion is on, we are hoping to get a good result," he said.

The NBR chairman made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled Macroeconomic Partnership and Fiscal Measures at the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital today.

He said the recent engagements with the IMF were positive and the lending agency provided several recommendations. "We accepted many of those while we are resisting those which are not possible for us to take," he said.

Abdur Rahman Khan also acknowledged that in some areas Bangladesh could not reach into a consensus. "Negotiations are going on, may be we could reach in to agreement," he said.

Turning to the upcoming budget, the NBR chairman said both the Chief Adviser and the Finance Adviser had instructed the formulation of a practical and realistic budget.

"We will focus on revenue generating initiatives shunning the expenditures," he said.

Rahman added that splitting the NBR into two separate divisions -- Revenue Management Division and Revenue Policy Division -- would be challenging, although the government has finalised the plan.

He also hinted at taking tough fiscal measures in the upcoming budget aimed at boosting revenue collection. "We will implement all laws properly so that people do not feel that they are harassed," he said.

Underscoring the need for more revenue generation, the NBR chairman warned of broader economic consequences if collection targets were not met.

Policy Exchange Chairman and CEO Dr Mashrur Reaz presented the keynote paper at the seminar. ERF President Doulot Akter Mala and General Secretary Abul Kashem also spoke at the event.