Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Saturday said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) praises highly about the achievements of Bangladesh and they termed it as "extraordinary".
"Few weeks back, an IMF mission visited Bangladesh to see the position of Bangladesh in the economic fronts. Then they made such comments," he said, reports BSS.
The Finance Minister said this while speaking at a function marking the National VAT Day held at a city hotel. National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem presided over the function while its member Zakia Sultana presented the key-note paper.
Some nine highest VAT paying companies and firms were given certificates this time at the function marking the National VAT Day.
Addresing the function, Kamal said whatever achievements Bangladesh has made so far are not only because of the sole efforts of the government, but also for the association of all people of the country. "I'm indebted to all the valued taxpayers in this regard."
Highlighting the successes of Bangladesh in the different socio-economic areas over the last 14 years, he mentioned that the size of the economy now stood at US$465 billion which was only US$100 billion when the Awami League-led government assumed office back in 2009.
"During this period, the per capita income rose to US$2,864 up from US$600," he said urging the countrymen to pay their due tax properly to turn Bangladesh as a higher middle income country and thus a prosperous developed country within the timeframe set by the government.
The names of the companies getting highest VAT paying awards this time are: Manufacturing Category— Olympic Industries, Ibne Sina Pharmaceuticals and Industries and SMC Enterprise Business Category—Walton Plaza, Agora Limited and Unimart Limited Services Category— bKash Limited, IFIC Bank and Nagad Limited.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
