Cabinet Congratulates Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on UNGA Participation
The Cabinet has passed a congratulatory motion on Bangladesh’s dignified participation in the United Nations General Assembly under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It has also given policy and final approval to the draft Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, aimed at accelerating revenue collection at the field level.
The approvals were given at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Monday.
Cabinet Congratulates Prime Minister on UNGA Participation
The Cabinet passed a congratulatory motion to mark Bangladesh’s dignified participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Bangladesh’s participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly under the Prime Minister’s leadership was described as a historic and particularly significant event for the country.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2026. Earlier, his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, addressed the 11th Special Session of the UN General Assembly on August 26, 1980, while his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, addressed the 48th session of the UN General Assembly on October 1, 1993.
The representation of Bangladesh at the UN General Assembly by three members of the same family is described as a unique event in world history.
During his four-day visit, the Prime Minister participated in 32 international programmes and meetings. In addition to addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, he spoke at seven high-level meetings, held bilateral meetings with 11 countries and met senior officials of 10 international organisations, including the United Nations.
Bangladesh’s participation in the UN General Assembly under the Prime Minister’s leadership highlighted the government’s commitments and expectations on the global stage and played an important role in expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
In this context, the Cabinet extended its sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the Bangladesh delegation.
VAT and Supplementary Duty Ordinance
The Cabinet also gave policy and final approval to the draft Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The proposal was submitted by the Internal Resources Division.
The draft ordinance was placed before the Cabinet to amend Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, with the aim of accelerating revenue collection at the field level.
Under the proposed amendment, the provision requiring taxpayers to submit returns within 15 days of the completion of every three tax periods would be replaced by a provision requiring returns to be submitted within 15 days of the end of each individual tax period. If the 15th day is a government holiday, the return must be submitted on the next working day.
Any government, semi-government or autonomous organisation, bank, insurance company, or individual or organisation submitting a zero return will be allowed to submit the return within 20 days of the end of the relevant tax period.
At the Cabinet meeting, the draft Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 was given final approval, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.
According to a press release issued by the Cabinet Division, the draft ordinance was placed before the Cabinet to amend Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, with the aim of accelerating revenue collection at the field level.
The Cabinet approved the reintroduction of the provision requiring returns to be submitted within 15 days of the end of each tax period, instead of within 15 days after the completion of every three tax periods.
If the 15th day falls on a government holiday, the return must be submitted on the following working day. Government, semi-government and autonomous organisations, banks, insurance companies, and individuals or organisations submitting zero returns will be allowed to submit their returns within 20 days of the end of the relevant tax period.
The press release further stated that the Cabinet gave final approval to the draft ordinance, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.
