Bangladesh panel says punishing corrupt individuals is not enough. Digital systems should replace processes that enable corruption.

A Bangladesh parliamentary committee has recommended replacing direct communication among stakeholders with digital and automated systems to curb corruption, harassment, and business costs.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Finance made the recommendation Sunday during its second meeting of the 13th Parliament at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The meeting was chaired by Mushfiqur Rahman, lawmaker for Brahmanbaria-4, and attended by finance minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Committee members said punishing corrupt individuals alone would not be enough and called for changing or eliminating systems that enable corruption. They said digital processes could improve the business environment and increase government revenue.

The committee also urged strengthening the National Board of Revenue (NBR), raising the tax-to-gross domestic product ratio, and making government accounting and financial reporting more transparent, modern, and effective. NBR presented its capacity, revenue measures, and organizational needs.