The government yesterday honoured top 141 taxpayers, including individuals and companies, for their contribution to the development of Bangladesh's economy.

And, once again Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman made it to the list of top taxpayers in Dhaka city corporation area.

The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam and Bangla daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman were also awarded as they are among the highest taxpayers in the journalist category. They had won the appreciation in the previous two years as well.

Of the four top taxpaying companies in the print and electronic media category, three are linked with Transcom Group. They are The Daily Star's parent company Mediaworld, Prothom Alo owner Mediastar and the printer of the dailies Transcraft.

They have also got the recognition for the third straight year.

Mediaworld Chairperson Rokia Afzal Rahman received the award on behalf of Mediaworld, and Arshad Waliur Rahman, son of Latifur Rahman, received the award on behalf of Latifur, at the event.

“You are valuable humans. You are providing the fuel to run the country,” said Finance Minister AMA Muhith before handing over crests to the country's highest taxpayers at the programme at the capital's Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

This is the 10th year that the National Board of Revenue has honoured the taxpayers in recognition of their contribution to the economy.

The tax collector has been recognising the top taxpayers since 2010-11 with the view to boosting the tax-GDP ratio, which at 9 percent is the lowest in South Asia. To encourage taxpayers and bring more people into the net, the revenue authority revised its policy in 2016.  Since then, it has been recognising 141 compliant taxpayers, both individuals and companies, instead of previous 20. 

Talking about the forthcoming national election, Muhith urged all to vote for the ruling Awami League to continue dynamism in the economy. 

Tax should be collected in a way that taxpayers don't complain, said MA Mannan, state minister for finance and planning.

At the event, apart from recognising 76 individual top taxpayers from various professions, the NBR honoured 55 companies representing various sectors, including the financial sector, print and electronic media, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, and food and allied.

Transcom Beverage of Transcom Group was honoured as one of the top taxpayers in the food and allied category. The other two companies who made it to the list are Nestlé Bangladesh and Olympic Industries.

Atiqur Rahman, group finance director of Transcom, received the award on behalf of Transcom Beverage. Transcom's Executive Director of Finance Md Kamrul Hassan received the award on behalf of Transcraft. 

“Revenue is the key to development. We expect you to continue to be part of the development,” said Md Mosharraf Hossain, chairman of the NBR.

Some of the taxpayers spend money in social work as they feel better by contributing to the social development, said Ziauddin Mahmud, a member of the NBR.

The government needs to increase tax collection to achieve its dream of turning Bangladesh into a developed country, said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

“The NBR officials should behave in a very good manner with taxpayers. This will make them feel comfortable,” he said.

Accountability, transparency and a harassment-free tax system should be ensured to increase tax revenue, he added.

MA Malek, editor of the Dainik Azadi of Chattogram; Shykh Seraj, director and head of news of Channel I; and Naem Nizam, editor of Bangladesh Pratidin, are among the five top taxpayers in the journalist category.

East West Media Group is the other winner in the print and electronic media category.