On 28 October 2026, Dr. Bhishma Kumar Bhusal, Director General of Nepal’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Immediate Past Chair of the BRITACOM Council, delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum (BRITACOF) in Kathmandu. The forum, convened under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative, brings together tax administrations from participating jurisdictions to strengthen cooperation on digital tax governance, capacity building, and cross-border tax compliance. Dr. Bhusal’s address underscored Nepal’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies to enhance revenue administration, improve taxpayer services, and combat tax evasion through enhanced international cooperation. The speech highlighted the IRD’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including the implementation of electronic invoicing, real-time reporting, and data analytics platforms. The event also marked the adoption of a joint declaration by member nations reaffirming their collective resolve to foster transparent, efficient, and technology-driven tax ecosystems across the Belt and Road corridor.
Key Takeaways
- Digital Tax Governance Leadership: Nepal’s IRD is positioning itself as a regional leader in digital tax administration, advocating for the adoption of interoperable digital platforms, standardized data exchange protocols, and joint capacity-building programs among BRITACOF members.
- Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: The keynote emphasized the importance of sustained technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and training programs to build institutional capacity in member countries, particularly in areas such as transfer pricing, base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), and the taxation of the digital economy.
- Joint Declaration Outcomes: The forum concluded with a joint declaration committing signatories to accelerate digital transformation, enhance information exchange mechanisms, and establish a permanent secretariat to coordinate ongoing cooperation, with Nepal offering to host the next BRITACOF session.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement