Business leaders have raised sharp allegations of "harassment" and "extortion" against officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), claiming that VAT and customs officers frequently obstruct the transport of industrial goods.

During a pre-budget discussion for the 2026-27 fiscal year held at the NBR Headquarters in Agargaon on Sunday, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem urged NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan to intervene.

"VAT officials still disturb us on the roads," Hatem said. "If I move materials between my three different factory units, they intercept the vehicles and cause trouble. I receive countless complaints about this every day. Please, put an end to this," he said.

Another business leader, Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA) President M Shahadat Hossain, also complained about alleged harassment by customs and income tax officials in Chattogram.

He said, “Stop the harassment by customs and income tax inspectors in Chittagong Port. We will not even ask for any reduction in duties, we will give whatever you ask.”

Hatem also highlighted challenges in the solar energy sector, saying import restrictions and customs complications on batteries were creating obstacles for industrial users amid energy shortages.

He said solar systems had become essential due to ongoing electricity and gas shortages.

“Earlier, under net metering, solar power was adjusted with the national grid. But now, due to load shedding, industries need solar systems as backup,” he said.

“For two to three hours of load shedding, battery storage is essential. Import policy needs flexibility so we can manage power shortages ourselves.”

He also alleged delays in clearing solar equipment at Chittagong Port.

“In one case, mounting structures for a 4-megawatt solar project are stuck at customs. This is costing about Tk 114,000 per day in port demurrage,” he said.

NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman said the complaints would be taken seriously.

“Such complaints will be looked into with importance. Decisions taken jointly must be implemented,” he said.

BKMEA also proposed maintaining 0.5 percent source tax on exports for five years and removing the current 10 percent tax on cash incentives in the export sector.

The association also proposed a uniform 12 percent tax rate on capital gains from asset sales and subcontract income, and reducing source tax on subcontracting for SMEs from 5 percent to 1 percent.