ADDIS ABABA– Awardees of the fifth National Best Taxpayers recognition program urged peer companies and citizens to contribute their share for nation’s socioeconomic development through paying taxes properly.
The Ministry of Revenues and Ethiopian Customs Commission awarded about 500 best taxpayers during the fifth National Best Taxpayers Award at the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) at the National Palace on Oct 12, 2023.
Among the 50 platinum rank taxpayers, East African Holdings was one of the companies that have received the award from the Premier.
Fitsum Nigusse, Representative from East African Holdings, said the company has received platinum, gold as well as silver level awards through its five subsidiary companies including national cement factory that won the platinum rank.
The company, which has created jobs for some 7000 citizens, has paid over one billion Birr tax in 2022/23, he stated.
“Our companies consider paying tax as a way of paying it forward to the community. We are long known by our companies’ obedience to the tax laws. Apart from obeying our duty, we believe that paying tax is crucial for the overall economic development of the country,” he underscored.
By the same token, Director-General of Commercial Nominees, Commander Tilahun Tsegaye, on his part mentioned that it is through the tax that companies and citizens pay that everyone can contributes to the socioeconomic development of the nation in the building of road, health, power and other infrastructures.
Reminding that they have received the National Best Taxpayers Award previously, he indicated that the company has taken three platinum and two gold awards.
Established by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Construction & Business Bank in 1965, Commercial Nominees has employed over 42,000 citizens across the nation having 33 branches and delivering13 types of services.
During the award, some 50 platinum, 150 gold and 300 silver level companies were awarded that were screened under 12 criteria.
Ethio telecom, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise, Dangote Cement Ethiopian Private Limited Company, East Africa Bottling Share Company, were said to be amongst the 14 companies that received unique recognition for their consistent performance.
The Ministry of Revenues and Ethiopian Customs Commission has collected over 442 billion Birr revenue which is 98.2% of its plan during last fiscal year and it has set a plan to generate 529 billion Birr this year.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER 2023
