BTRC, NBR, commerce ministry officials to meet traders on NEIR tomorrow; mobile shops to remain shut
No decision was reached in a meeting between the BTRC and traders today
The commerce ministry has called a multistakeholder meeting for tomorrow (10 December) to discuss the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), protect business investments, and determine the applicable tax structure.
Officials from the commerce ministry, posts and telecommunications ministry, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB), and leaders from the mobile phone business community are expected to attend the meeting.
Both the BTRC officials and business representatives have confirmed the meeting.
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Meanwhile, no decision was reached in a meeting between the BTRC and traders today (9 December), prompting the mobile phone business community to announce the closure of all mobile phone shops nationwide tomorrow.
Shamim Mollah, vice president of the Bangladesh Mobile Business Community, told The Business Standard that lengthy discussions were held with the BTRC officials today.
"The traders presented their arguments, but the BTRC could not make any decision. A resolution may come in the all-party meeting at the secretariat tomorrow," he said.
MIOB member Zahirul Islam said, "We aim to implement NEIR by 16 December to protect local investment. We do not intend to interfere with anyone's business. Our goal is to allow consumers to use phones legally at affordable prices and establish a system acceptable to all."
The mobile phone business community has been agitating for several days, demanding NEIR reform, at least a six-month postponement of its implementation, and simplification of the mobile phone import process.
On Sunday, traders staged a blockade in front of the BTRC building in protest. Following two meetings that day, the traders suspended the demonstration until today.
Traders remain hopeful that discussions tomorrow will produce an effective solution to the NEIR issue and restore stability to the market.
