Mobile Traders Lift BTRC Blockade After Assurance of Talks on NEIR
The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), a group representing what authorities describe as “illegal” mobile importers, has lifted its blockade in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Following assurances from the BTRC chairman, the organization announced it would suspend its protest until a meeting scheduled for 9 December with the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, BTRC, and the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Soon after the announcement, BTRC officials and employees were seen leaving their offices without obstruction.
However, MBCB declared that mobile sales will remain suspended until 9 December. The traders said the final outcome would depend on tax adjustments; if their disagreements with the NBR are not resolved, the NEIR system will not be allowed to launch on 16 December.
The announcement was made at a press briefing held at the Bot Tala adjacent to BTRC around 8:45 pm on Sunday, 7 December. According to the decision, the upcoming meeting will take place at BTRC with the participation of the Chief Adviser’s Finance Adviser, the NBR chairman, the Commerce Secretary, and BTRC officials.
MBCB president Mohammad Aslam said, “We are cornered, with no time left. We have been protesting for one month and seven days. Today, we finally had a meeting. Since the Finance Adviser is abroad, we are withdrawing the blockade after keeping shops closed today. Following fruitful discussions with the BTRC chairman and his assurances, we are temporarily suspending our movement.”
He added, “We are not against NEIR. But if the market is opened for us and LC procedures are eased on that day, we will not continue the protest. Otherwise, we will launch a tougher movement. NEIR will not be allowed to be implemented. Mobile phone sales—both online and offline—will remain suspended.”
Secretary Abu Sayeed Pias said BTRC assured them that all their mobile devices would be listed without hesitation. Even traders from remote areas would get simplified import procedures. According to him, tax reduction proposals have already been communicated to the NBR chairman and the Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, and the Finance Secretary will also be consulted. “We have said that if no agreement on tax is reached, NEIR implementation must be postponed.” The next meeting between BTRC and MBCB is scheduled for 9 December to finalize simplification of import procedures.
BTRC Staff Earlier Trapped Inside Building
According to government plans, the NEIR system is set to go live on 16 December to strengthen telecom security and prevent the use of unregistered mobile devices. Once implemented, unregistered, stolen, or unauthorized imported phones will no longer function on the country's mobile networks. Ahead of the launch, traders initiated large-scale protests, causing significant disruption throughout Sunday. The blockade brought traffic in the Agargaon administrative area to a halt, affecting nearby hospitals, patients, and ambulances, and causing severe distress for pedestrians.
Tejgaon Traffic Division’s Assistant Commissioner (Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Zone), Zakir Hossain, said, “Traffic in front of the BTRC building came to a standstill due to the traders’ blockade. We diverted vehicles through alternative routes.” In the evening, when protesters lit fires and intensified demonstrations, BTRC authorities called another meeting with the traders’ representatives. An 11-member MBCB delegation led by the president and general secretary met with the BTRC chairman and commissioners.
After the meeting, during the press briefing announcing suspension of the protest, leaders faced anger from participants. Humayun Kabir, president of MBCB’s Jamuna Future Park unit, said full implementation of NEIR would harm hundreds of thousands of traders. He alleged that a particular vested group would benefit from the system, while increased taxes and complicated procedures would sharply raise mobile phone prices for consumers. “The movement will continue until our demands are met. Mobile sales will remain closed both online and offline.”
DBTech/IH/OR
