Burimari land port again misses revenue target

The revenue collection target set for the Burimari land port by the National Board of Revenue has remained unmet for the last couple of years.

Businesses and customs authorities blame the dollar crisis, a ban on the import of some goods on which high taxes are imposed and poor infrastructure in and adjoining the port.

Around Tk 94.60 crore was collected in fiscal year 2022-23, which is 28.23 per cent lower than the target.

In fiscal year of 2021-22, Tk 91.92 crore was collected against a target of Tk 137.93 crore, in fiscal year 2020-21 Tk 111.11 crore against Tk 113.80 crore and in fiscal year 2019-20 Tk 56.72 crore against Tk 104.8 lakh, according to the port authority.

Importers are unwilling to use the port as the Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway is in a very bad state, said Sayeduzzaman Sayeed, president of the port's clearing and forwarding agents' association.

The port also has multiple infrastructural problems, he said, adding that trade would get a boost if the two issues were addressed.

Imports have gone down for the dollar crisis and other global issues induced by the Russia-Ukraine war, said Ruhul Amin Babul, president of the port's group for importers and exporter.

A ban prevailing for the past 20 years on the import of 20 steeply taxed goods needs to be lifted, he said.

The fall in import is also taking a toll on the income of about 3,000 workers involved in loading and unloading goods.

The workers are mostly passing idle times, said Safar Uddin, president of the port's workers' union.

Revenue collection dipped over the last couple of years for a fall in the export volume, said Abdul Alim, deputy commissioner of customs at the port.

Besides, the issue over the ban is a matter of the highest level of the government, he said.

"However, we are giving all-out efforts to boost revenue collection in order to meet the target set by the NBR in the current fiscal year," he added.