Tax receipts counted in four days of the weeklong income tax fair have exceeded the National Board of Revenue's total collection from last year's fair.

NBR collected Tk 428 crore in tax, compared to last year's total collection of Tk 414 crore, the tax authority said in a statement yesterday.

The NBR fair last year took place in seven divisional cities.

The increase in revenue can be attributed to the huge turnout of taxpayers and the launch of the fair in 11 districts along with the seven division cities.

“Taxpayers' crowd continued for the fourth day. They came to use various services, including getting new TIN (taxpayer identification number) and submitting tax returns," the NBR said.

Some 40,562 taxpayers submitted returns at the fair and 7,262 received TINs. The program remains open from 10am to 5pm.

Last year, 62,272 people submitted returns and 10,041 new TINs were issued.

The fair began on September 16, adding Mymensingh, Gazipur, Faridpur, Comilla, Noakhali, Jessore, Kushtia, Patuakhali, Bogra, Pabna and Dinajpur to its coverage along with the seven divisional cities.

The Officers' Club venue in Dhaka helped the tax collector secure Tk 402 crore out of Tk 428 crore with 22,447 returns being submitted.

The fair, the third of its kind, will end on September 22 in divisional cities and on September 20 in the districts.

The NBR has opened 36 booths to receive tax returns, 16 booths for TIN issuance and 20 "help desks" to inform taxpayers about their tax payment circles and other details at Officers' Club.

Sonali and Janata banks also have eight booths to facilitate direct tax deposits. The tax authority has also opened a designated corner for e-payment to let people know about procedures of paying tax online.

News: The Daily Star/Bangladesh/20-Sep-12

Md. Abdul Jalil Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO of Mercantile Bank, speaks at a training session for the executives of the Bank at Mercantile Bank Training Institute in Dhaka recently.

News: The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/19-Sep-12

Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Standard Bank Limited, inaugurates the 71st branch of the Bank at Zamir Khan Complex, Kanchpur Bus Stand in Narayangonj recently.

News: The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/19-Sep-12

Engr. Mustafa Anwar, acting Chairman, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, speaks at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Home Country Abroad, Three Months of Cordial Services’ at the Islami Bank Tower in Dhaka recently.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) recently launched a special service on ‘Home Country Abroad, Three Months of Cordial Services.’

Engr. Mustafa Anwar, acting Chairman, IBBL inaugurated the programme through releasing balloons at Islami Bank Tower recently, said a press release.

Humayun Bokhteyar, Director, Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Managing Director, Moulana Abdus Shaheed Naseem, Member, Shari’ah Supervisory Committee, Mohd. Shamsul Haque, Md. Habibur Rahman, Md. Nurul Islam, Mohammad Abul Bashar, Syed Abdullah Mohammed Saleh, A.K.M. Abdul Malek Chowdhury and Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam were present.

News: The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/19-Sep-12

Six local entrepreneurs will get $48.55 million foreign loans for expanding their projects.

The Scrutiny Committee of the Suppliers’ Credit Committee of the Bangladesh Bank at its 68th meeting approved the foreign loan proposals.

The meeting was held Tuesday at Bangladesh Bank head office in Dhaka, said a press release.

Of the total amount, $9.75 million has been approved in favour of NovoAir Limited, while $0.5 million for RZ Power Limited, $7.5 million for Esquire Knit Composite Limited, $9.0 million for SQ Celsius Limited and $20.0 million for KYCR Coils Limited.

Dr Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh Bank presided over the meeting. Committee members including representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, Board of Investment and officials of the committee were also present.

The highest annual interest rate of the loan is 6-month LIBOR+4.0 and the tenor is at least 5 years.

The committee was informed that more foreign financing proposals had been under processing and close consideration for approval.

News: The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/19-Sep-12