Thirteen enterprises were rated Grade A for their taxpaying credit in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Fujian province, local news portal reported on July 24.

A total of 4,788 taxpayers, including companies and the self-employed, participated in the assessment which was jointly conducted by the local tax and state tax bureaus.

The 13 winning businesses ranged from wind power to forestry, securities, ship building, small loans, and supermarkets.

The honored companies and individuals will enjoy preferential policies in loans and fund management at all five banks in Pingtan, which will lower their financing costs, based on a pact between banks and tax authorities.

The reward system is an innovation in the development of the Pingtan Free Trade Zone and will encourage enterprises to keep up a good tax record, authorities said.

“Tax paying is the obligation and responsibility of an enterprise. It now proves that honest tax behavior can bring much convenience to the payers,” said Huang Jishi, an official at a shipping company with a two-year Grade A tax paying record.