BTRC, NBR, Commerce Ministry officials to meet mobile traders on NEIR today

Staff Reporter :

The commerce ministry has convened a multistakeholder meeting today (Wednesday) to discuss implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), safeguard business investments, and finalise the related tax structure.

Officials from the commerce ministry, the posts and telecommunications ministry, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB), and leaders of the mobile phone business community are expected to attend.

Both BTRC officials and trader representatives have confirmed the meeting.
No decision could be reached during Tuesday’s discussions between the BTRC and traders, prompting the mobile phone business community to announce that all mobile phone shops nationwide will remain closed tomorrow.

Shamim Mollah, vice president of the Bangladesh Mobile Business Community, told reporters that extensive talks were held with BTRC officials on Tuesday.

“The traders placed all their arguments, but the BTRC could not take a decision. A resolution may emerge in tomorrow’s all-party meeting at the secretariat,” he said.

MIOB member Zahirul Islam noted, “We are aiming to implement NEIR by 16 December to protect local investment. We have no intention of disrupting anyone’s business. Our objective is to ensure consumers can use phones legally at reasonable prices and to establish a system acceptable to all.”

For several days, the mobile phone business community has been protesting, demanding reforms to NEIR, at least a six-month deferral of its rollout, and easier procedures for importing mobile phones.

On Sunday, traders blockaded the BTRC headquarters in protest. After two rounds of talks that day, they suspended the demonstration until further discussions.
Traders remain optimistic that today’s meeting will yield a workable solution to the NEIR dispute and help stabilise the market.