BSS, Rangpur :
Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed, MP, on Tuesday urged the people to spontaneously pay value added tax (VAT) to take the country at the peak of development.
“Bangladesh has been transformed into a self-reliant country with strong economy by the hands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said, adding that she is working with integrity for national progress penetrating all walls of various adversities. The Minister said this at a discussion organised by the Divisional Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate at Zila Parishad Community Centre here in observance of the National VAT Day-2019 as the chief guest.
Earlier, NBR Member (International Taxes) Hafez Ahmed Murshed ceremonially inaugurated observance of the day by releasing balloons and pigeons.
Later, a colourful rally was brought out on the streets.
Divisional Commissioner of Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate Shawkat Ali Sadi presided over the discussion. NBR Member Hafez Ahmed Murshed, Divisional Commissioner KM Tariqul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud, Tax Commissioner of Taxes Zone-Rangpur Md Abdul Latif and President of Rangpur Chamber Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu addressed the discussion as special guests.
Additional Commissioner of Divisional Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate Abdul Mannan Sarder presented the keynote speech narrating importance of paying VAT to make the country economically self-reliant.
The speakers called for creating awareness among businesspersons, consumers and all concerned to enhance revenue earning in the form of VAT to further strengthen the national economy.
Divisional Commissioner said many least developed countries have become developed nations as their citizens pay VAT properly and called for availing the facilities being given by the NBR and the new VAT law to pay VAT in a hassle-free manner.
Abdul Alim Mahmud urged all concerned for paying VAT with patriotic zeal to further accelerate national advancement for turning Bangladesh into a middle income nation by 2021, and subsequently a developed country by 2041.
The chief guest called upon industrialists, businesspersons and consumers for spontaneous payment of VAT for implementing developments at own costs without foreign assistance.
