Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. Photo : File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 6, 2025 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the interim government would complete the splitting process of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) before the ensuing Jatiya Sangsad election slated for February 12, 2026.

“Time is still there. It didn’t happen, but you will see whether it happens by January or February 12. All the formalities will be completed. There is only a small issue left,” he said.

The adviser told these to reporters after chairing two separate meetings on the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today.

The Finance Adviser acknowledged that the separation could not be finalised by the end of 2025, despite earlier assurances, but the process was still very much on track and awaiting completion of some remaining formalities.

He expressed his confidence when pressed further on whether the government itself was driving the process forward. “Sure,” he replied.

The reform aims to split the NBR into two distinct entities—one responsible for tax policy and another for tax collection and administration—a move that has long been recommended by development partners, economists and business leaders to improve efficiency, transparency and revenue mobilisation.

Earlier in May 2025, the interim government promulgated the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025, abolishing the long-standing National Board of Revenue — established in 1972 — and replacing it with two separate entities: the Revenue Policy Division (RPD) and Revenue Management Division (RMD) under the Ministry of Finance.

The move, aimed at separating tax policy formulation from revenue collection to boost transparency and efficiency, was justified by the government as a necessary structural reform to modernise Bangladesh’s revenue system.