Ahsan Habib Appointed Acting NBR Chairman
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The government has appointed Ahsan Habib as the acting chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), marking the first time an individual has been assigned to the post in an acting capacity. The Ministry of Public Administration announced the appointment in a notification issued on Monday.
According to the notification, Ahsan Habib has been appointed acting secretary of the Internal Resources Division and acting chairman of the NBR.
Previously, he served as a member of the NBR overseeing tax administration and human resource management. With his appointment, a direct income tax cadre officer has, for the first time, become the acting chief custodian of the state treasury. Ahsan Habib's tenure in government service is set to continue until 2028.
A resident of Jhalakathi district in Barishal Division, Ahsan Habib secured first place in the merit list of the 15th Tax Cadre recruitment. He also ranked 62nd in the overall BCS merit list, where the top 100 candidates are considered top performers.
His predecessor, outgoing NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan, also belonged to the tax cadre. He had moved from the tax administration to the Secretariat before returning to the NBR. The Lakshmipur native is set to complete his tenure on Tuesday.
The question of who would occupy the NBR's top position has long been the subject of a rivalry between officials from the greater Noakhali and Barishal regions. Prime Minister Tariq Rahman reportedly made a decision on the NBR chairmanship before departing for visits to Malaysia and China, with the formal notification issued on Monday.
When contacted for comment, Ahsan Habib told Agamir Somoy, “Pray for me. I seek your support.”
Ahsan Habib graduated from the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka, earning first-class first positions in both his bachelor's and master's degrees. He also achieved first place in three separate competitive examinations, including the 15th Tax Administration recruitment. During his student years, he was involved in Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal politics.
On June 13, Agamir Somoy published a report titled “Seven in the Race for the New NBR Chairman,” which first highlighted the possibility of Ahsan Habib becoming chairman. However, he has now been appointed in an acting capacity rather than as full chairman.
Speaking about him, a senior NBR member described Ahsan Habib as a capable administrator. Another senior member said, “His mood can change quickly. However, the government made the right decision by appointing him. Appointing a newcomer would have wasted considerable time as they learned the ropes.”
Senior NBR officials and several leading business figures said they had learned about the appointment after receiving indications of the prime minister's approval and decision, although none disclosed it publicly. Some business leaders had even met him privately in recent days.
Government policymakers remain concerned about the country's fragile economic situation. Revitalizing trade and commerce, creating new jobs, and maintaining momentum in revenue collection are among the BNP government's key challenges. In addressing these critical and sensitive issues, the NBR chairman's policies and strategies must remain aligned with those of the government.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, known for his strong communication skills and political acumen, has assumed responsibility for the Finance Ministry for the first time. Observers say the future direction of the economy will depend in part on close coordination between the finance minister and the NBR chairman.
Tapan Sen Gupta, Deputy Managing Director of BSRM, one of the country's leading steel manufacturers, said, “The country cannot move forward without business growth and industrialization. Authorities should focus on reducing unnecessary harassment, facilitating trade and commerce, and eliminating bureaucratic delays caused by files moving from desk to desk. In short, the policy should be to end harassment and improve services.”
The current budget has set an NBR revenue collection target of 6.04 trillion taka. Failure to meet that target could hinder the implementation of development programs. Business leaders are now watching closely to see what role the new acting chairman will play and what strategies he will adopt to boost revenue collection.
Mohammad Amirul Haque, president of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “I hope he performs well. We, as businesspeople, want to pay VAT and taxes. But the system should be managed with professionalism.”
