The United Kingdom has approved 7 million pound sterling equivalent to Tk 100 crore to the government of Bangladesh for Tax Administration Capacity and Taxpayer Services (TACTS).
The five-year programme will support the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to increase the number of taxpayers, promote transparency and public trust in the revenue administration system and to increase public revenue, said a DFID press release.
The TACTS will assist the NBR in implementing a comprehensive programme on taxpayer services aiming to improve outreach to the public. This will include improving the availability of information by setting up one-stop service centres and web based systems, the press release added.
In addition, the functioning of the Large Taxpayer Units and the Central Intelligence Cell of the NBR will also be strengthened.
Shahid Malik, the UK's Development Minister with responsibility for South Asia, said, "With one of the lowest tax revenue collection rates in the world, it is vital for Bangladesh to develop a sustainable source of domestic resources".
Bangladesh is currently developing a new National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction Implementation of this will require a boost in resources to finance the country's long term plans for improved health and education services, better infrastructure and growth.
"I am pleased that we can usefully support Bangladesh to strengthen revenue collection so that it can finance its expenditure needs," Sarah Sanyahumbi, DFID Bangladesh Acting Country Representative said.