Bashundhara Group Vice-Chairman Safwan Sobhan has been awarded as the highest taxpayer in the young category for his significant contributions to the national exchequer.

On behalf of Safwan Sobhan, sector-C chief financial officer Kajal Kumar Bhaumik received the tax card and award from National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem at a function at the officers’ club in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Finance published a gazette notification earlier last week nominating 141 individuals and companies for tax card facilities for the next one year.

The selected cardholders will get special facilities, including an invitation to national programmes, privilege at the VIP lounge of airports and priority at star-ranked hotels.

Earlier, International AsiaOne magazine honoured Safwan Sobhan as ‘Global Leader of the Year’ for his outstanding leadership, efficiency and contribution to the business as well as society. He is a TOYP award holder of Junior Chamber International (JCI).

Other awardees in the young taxpayers’ category are – Asif Iqbal Mahmud, Nasiruddin Akhter Rashid, Raisa Sigma Hima and Robin Razon Sakhawat.

East West Media Group, the umbrella organisation of the media units of Bashundhara Group, including Bangladesh Pratidin, Kaler kantho and Daily Sun, has been awarded tax card facilities for the seventh time in a row in the media category.

On behalf of EWMGL, Bashundhara Group sector-B chief financial officer Nore Alam Seddeke received the award and crest from the NBR chairman.

The media owned by East West Media Group Limited are Kaler Kantho, Bangladesh Pratidin, Daily Sun, Banglanews24.com, News24 Television, T-Sports and Radio Capital.

Addressing the award ceremony, Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal said paying taxes is not a duty but a responsibility to underprivileged ones in society.

“We are moving forward with everyone's help. Our national revenue sector has improved tremendously in the last 13 years of Awami League government,” he said.

Mustafa Kamal hailed the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as an architect of modern Bangladesh for forwarding the country as a developed one by 2041.

Senior Secretary Fatima Yasmin said the revenue board has collected Tk 170 billion more taxes with 20 per cent growth year-on-year.

Rahmatul Muneem said many people want to pay taxes, but paying taxes is more of a hassle than financial hardship.

“The revenue board has been working to make tax payment hassle-free. Taxes should be paid out of love for the country,” he said.

Since 2016, NBR has been giving tax cards and awards to the top taxpayers.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul