NBR stalemate: Finance adviser holds meeting with business leaders
The finance adviser may hold a meeting with business leaders at 5pm.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed held a meeting with business leaders of the country this evening (29 June) in an effort to resolve the ongoing stalemate at the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
Earlier in the day, it was learnt that the adviser was also set to meet with the NBR officials protesting under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad.
However, later in the day, finance ministry officials confirmed to The Business Standard that the meeting between the finance adviser and the protesting officials would not happen.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The protesting NBR officials also confirmed the development to TBS.
Watch: Financial adviser calls for discussion with protesting NBR employees
Earlier, business leader and former Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Syed Nasim Manzur had told TBS, "The finance adviser will probably hold a meeting with business leaders at five o'clock. On the other hand, we heard that the adviser will also hold another meeting with the protesting leaders of NBR."
He added, "The reason customs activities are being stopped in Bangladesh now will severely damage our image in the outside world. Especially, foreigners' confidence in doing business with us will decrease. This will cause us great long-term damage."
Hasan Muhammad Tareq Rikabder, president of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad, at the time also confirmed preparations for the meeting. Several officials were expected to attend the discussion with the adviser.
The news of the meetings came as customs operations at major points, including Custom House, Chattogram (CHC) remained halted today for a second consecutive day due to the ongoing complete shutdown enforced by NBR officials demanding the removal of the NBR chairman and structural reforms of the board instead of its dissolution.
Customs clearance for import and export consignments remains suspended at CHC. Only services for foreign passengers are continuing, according to officials.
The NBR officials' protest, now in its second day, continues to disrupt regular operations across the country's revenue offices.
