Staff Correspondent
The Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday unveiled a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at including in the upcoming National Budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 (FY27), urging the government to prioritize investment, fiscal modernization and logistics reform to strengthen Bangladesh’s global competitiveness and attract greater Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
At a press conference held at a city hotel in the capital, JBCCI leaders said the upcoming budget should move beyond a narrow focus on revenue collection and instead place stronger emphasis on industrial expansion, export competitiveness and long-term investment growth.
JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan addressed the press conference while JBCCI Vice President Md Anwar Shahid, Founder President Matiur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.
Maria Howlader, JBCCI Secretary General, said that the chamber proposed reducing the corporate tax rate from 25 percent to 20 percent in order to align Bangladesh with competing regional economies.
As an alternative, she suggested implementing a gradual one percentage point reduction annually over the next five years to balance fiscal requirements while signaling a more business-friendly investment climate.
She also recommended major reforms in the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, including reducing the standard VAT rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent and introducing a unified structure to simplify compliance procedures for businesses.
She further called for the withdrawal of the minimum tax imposed on gross receipts for loss-making enterprises, arguing that such measures place additional pressure on struggling businesses and hinder sustainability.
In addition, she urged the government to lower customs duties on industrial raw materials, renewable energy equipment and manufacturing inputs to enhance export competitiveness and industrial productivity.
She also proposed introducing an automated and time-bound refund mechanism for VAT and income tax payments to reduce delays and release blocked working capital for businesses.
