People pay taxes, but they do not receive the services they are entitled to - Salehuddin Ahmed

The Chronify

September 23, 2025

Economic advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that in Bangladesh, people pay taxes but do not receive proper services. In contrast, in other countries, even if citizens pay higher taxes, they receive quality services from the government. Here, however, people often face harassment, which understandably causes frustration. He made these remarks at a seminar titled “Unveiling Bangladesh’s Bond and Sukuk Market: Revenue Status, Infrastructure Implementation, and Islamic Money Market Development”, organized by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

At the event, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud, other speakers included Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor and Chairman of the Capital Market Development Committee, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, and Nazma Mobarak, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division. The keynote paper was presented by Professor M. Kabir Hassan from the University of New Orleans, USA.

Economic advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed highlighted that the key issue in Bangladesh is lack of financing. He said government officials often assume everything can be provided without constraints, but the country does not receive resources proportional to its needs. Tax and non-tax revenue remain very low, and the country relies heavily on private sector investment banks. He emphasized that the biggest challenge is funding social security, noting the need for higher allocations in health and education sectors.

Dr. Ahmed pointed out that Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio is only 7.2%, compared to 26% in Brazil, where taxpayers receive services in return. He stressed, “People in our country pay taxes but do not get services. I often tell NBR officials: provide good services. If services are good, we can pay higher taxes. If not, no matter how much you demand in fees, it is not possible.”