Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Training Program on "Understanding Tax, VAT & Customs Duty for Trade"

The certificate awarding ceremony of the 3-day-long training program titled ‘Understanding Tax, VAT & Customs Duty for Trade’ organized by Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) was held on 16 September 2025 at the BFTI's Academic Block, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

The event was graced by Mr. Md. Abdur Razzak, Additional Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BFTI, as Chairperson. Course Director Mr. Ahsanul Islam and Course Coordinator Mr. Harunur Rashid were also present at the ceremony.

In his remarks, Mr. Md. Abdur Razzak highlighted the importance of understanding tax, VAT, and customs duty in strengthening Bangladesh’s revenue earnings and sustaining its economic growth. He emphasized that in the context of Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from LDC status, efficient tax administration, transparent VAT management, and streamlined customs operations will be crucial to maintaining global competitiveness. He further noted that the training had provided participants with valuable insights on tax, VAT, customs clearance, and bonded warehouse operations, which would enable them to manage international trade processes more effectively and reduce the cost of doing business.

Speaking at the closing session, Mr. Ahsanul Islam, Course Director of the training program, underscored the critical role of tax, VAT, and customs duty in Bangladesh’s revenue structure, noting that these three pillars form the backbone of the country’s revenue system. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from training in their professional fields to enhance efficiency, compliance, and institutional effectiveness.

Mr. Harunur Rashid, Course Coordinator, emphasized that technical knowledge of tax, VAT, and custom duty is crucial for facilitating the ease of doing business and ensuring accurate submission of income tax returns.

The 3-day-long training program successfully concluded with a certificate awarding session. Mr. Md. Abdur Razzak, Additional Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BFTI awarded certificates to 41 participants representing both public and private sector organizations, including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Bangladesh Army, Air Force and Navy officers, Eastern Bank PLC, Renata PLC, Bashundhara Group, Directorate General of Drug Administration, Directorate of National Consumers’ Rights Protection, BRAC, and others.