Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Finance Ministry, called on businesses to pay taxes and VAT while assuring them that no unlawful or unreasonable demands would be made, either formally or informally. Speaking at the International Customs Day event in Dhaka, he emphasized the importance of transparent revenue collection without coercion and discouraged under-the-table dealings. Highlighting challenges in balancing revenue and expenditure, he urged rational spending and prioritized financial sector reform to address inefficiencies. Acknowledging public struggles with rising prices, he dismissed exaggerated claims about economic collapse, noting mixed trends in commodity prices. He stressed the government’s efforts to alleviate hardships and called for balanced criticism, likening the government to a child needing encouragement to improve. Defending tax hikes, he stated their rationale isn’t always publicly explainable, and he urged modernization in processes and technology to keep pace with global standards.