Building trust between government and businesses is a prerequisite for national integrity and good governance in the country, speakers at a seminar said Saturday.   
The apex chamber at the joint meet between government side and business community also stressed simplifying tax laws and tax-payment system and slashing the VAT rate to promote compliance among businesses.            
The speakers said mistrust towards businesses could be eradicated through change in mindset of government officials.
Both the cabinet secretary of the government and the apex trade body's president made their statements in the same vein at the seminar on 'The role of private organisations in promoting integrity', held at Bidyut Bhaban in the city.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) organised the seminar in collaboration with cabinet division and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan attended the programme as chief guest. Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh office Mikio HATAEDA and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Abdul Matlub Ahmad attended the seminar as special guests.
NBR Chairman and Secretary of the Internal Resources Division (IRD) Md Nojibur Rahman chaired the meet while Secretary-in-charge of the cabinet division (coordination and reforms) NM Zeaul Alam was also present.
NBR member (VAT policy) Barrister Jahangir Hossain and Deputy Secretary of the cabinet division Abu Saleh Mohammed Ferdous Khan presented two papers on national integrity and private sector.
The state minister for finance and planning said there are numerous laws framed in different stages in the country but many of those need overhauling.
"Only a handful of countries have as many laws as we have. Reform of many of the existing laws is needed for proper implementation and enforcement," he told the audience.
Two major weapons to establish integrity are enforcement of law and use of technology, he added.
The cabinet secretary said many people remained out of awareness programme, creating a barrier to promoting national integrity.
He also laid emphasis on establishing good governance, introducing proper system and simplification of laws.
The FBCCI president said people involved in money laundering should be traced and exposed to the people.
"Billions of taka are being transferred through money laundering from the country, which is a shame on us," he said.
"NIS can never succeed unless we are truthful to us. Roots of problems should be identified," the chief of the apex chamber told the meet.
He mentioned that narcotic pill yaba is coming from Myanmar through borders as there are yaba factories set up in the border area.
"I wonder why the government is not sitting with Myanmar to fix the problem," he added.
Also, Mr Matlub Ahmad said, the NBR needs to be serious about thwarting abuse of bonded-warehouse facilities.
The FBCCI president pointed out that the VAT-payment system is so complex that the businesses have to appoint one for maintaining accounts.
He termed 15 per cent VAT being stipulated in the new VAT and Supplementary Duty Act 'too high' for the businesses and recommended knocking down the rate to 7.0 per cent.
"The government is going to introduce online VAT-payment system but there are little initiatives to impart training to businesses and chambers in district level," he said.
Mr Ahmad underscored the need for change in mindset towards businesses, involvement of businesses with national integrity strategy (NIS), removal of the corrupt from government machinery and rewarding people for good practices in order to ensure national integrity.
NBR chairman Md Nojibur Rahman said this is a first-of-its-kind seminar aimed at building capacity and establishing deep relationship with the businesses and other stakeholders.
"We are ready to facilitate compliant businesses. The existing law will be enforced to punish non-compliant ones," he said.
NBR member Barrister Jahangir Hossain said the new VAT law would address malpractices like misdeclaration, unholy alliance and money laundering.
The deputy secretary of the cabinet division recommended effective enforcement of the bankruptcy act and consumer- protection act as short-term initiative for national integrity.
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Source: The Financial Express