The new commercial organization Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB) has made its debut in the country’s telecom and technology sector with 17 mobile phone manufacturers that have started production in the country. One year after its establishment, the organization demanded the immediate implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) to build a smart Bangladesh free of stolen mobile phones at its debut event held at Dhaka Club in Shahbag of the capital on Wednesday.
President Zakaria Shahid; General Secretary Mesbah Uddin
It was informed at the event that 35-40 percent of the country’s mobile phone market is now under illegal import syndicates. As there is a 58 percent duty on imports, these mobile phones are being smuggled. As a result, even though these are sold in the country’s market, the government is losing revenue of Tk 200 crore annually.
At the beginning of the program, the 12-member Executive Director of the newly formed organization was introduced.
Zakaria Shahid, general secretary of defunct Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association and managing director of Edison Industries, is serving as MIOB president. The vice president is Rezwanul Haque, CEO of Smart Technology and the general secretary is Mohammad Mesbah Uddin, CMO of Fair Electronics. Besides, Zahurul Haque is joint editor of Rural Distribution, Imam Uddin of Best Tycoon is serving as treasurer.
Also, the rest of the members are as directors. They are Victor Wu of Benly Electronic Enterprises, Kevin Young of DBG Technology, SM Manjurul Alam Avi of Walton Hitech Industries, Alvi Rana of Union Tech Park, Shakib Arafat of Selextra Limited, Abul Kalam Hasan Togar of Halima Telecom and Kazi Rashedul Islam of RFL Electronics.