All mobile markets including Bashundhara City closed, buyers suffer
NN ONLINE:
As all the small and big mobile markets in the capital are closed, buyers from far and wide are in extreme distress. Although there is a rush of buyers in Bashundhara City Mobile Market and other large markets, they only find out about the closure when they get near the gate. In addition, many people come to get their mobile phones repaired, and they also return without getting the desired service.
This Wednesday afternoon, upon entering the main gate of Bashundhara City, the ‘Mobile City’ market is closed. There is a huge crowd of buyers there. They are standing at the main gate and discussing why the mobile market is closed. Many who came for mobile servicing, buying new phones or viewing are leaving disappointed. There is no clear idea when the market will open. The same scene was seen at Motaleb Plaza and Stern Plaza in the capital.
Sabiha Sharmin, who came from Azimpur, told that ‘I came to Bashundhara City to buy a phone. Although the entire Bashundhara City is open, the Mobile City market is closed. I don’t understand why it is closed. Like others, I have to go back.’
Reason for the strike:
The announcement to stop selling mobile phones across the country is being made by the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), an organization of smartphone and gadget traders. They announced the strike today (Wednesday) at a press conference titled ‘NEIR Implementation: Concerns and Actions of Mobile Handset Traders’ at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
Earlier, last night, MBCB General Secretary Abu Sayeed Pias and journalist Mizanur Rahman were taken from their homes by the Detective Branch (DB). Protesting this ‘arrest’, the traders surrounded the DB office since morning. Mizanur Rahman was released by the DB in the morning and Abu Sayeed Pias around 6 pm.
Several MBCB members expressed their anger and said, ‘We cannot accept being taken away at night without any complaint. We are traders, why is so much pressure being put on us? Let them sit and talk to us. What to do, what rules to follow—decide through discussion. But what do you want to prove by putting 20-25 thousand traders on the road like this?’
Fear of phone price hike and traders’ concerns:
The organization said that if NEIR (National Equipment Identity Registrar) is implemented according to the existing tax policy, the common people of the country will be affected. The price of phones will increase a lot, as a result, it will become difficult for the common people to buy mobile phones.
Md. Kamal Hossain, owner of mobile phone seller Sime Plus, told Prothom Alo, ‘I express deep concern about the proposed 57 percent VAT and tax on luggage phones.’ He said that about 30-35 thousand traders are involved in the (unofficial) luggage phone business. But these phones are not fake. If this high duty is imposed, the phones will go beyond the reach of the common people, encouraging illegal means. As a result, the government will lose revenue.
Md. Kamal Hossain further said that the phones added by 9 companies cannot meet the demand of all preferred brands in the market. Luggage phone sellers survive by selling at a very small profit (100-250 taka). Unable to meet shop rent and staff costs, they are forced to adopt the second option (luggage phones). He urged the government’s policy-making authorities to reduce VAT and tax through peaceful discussions with experienced businessmen. If this is done, both the government and the businessmen will benefit and the government will get good revenue.
Incidentally, the government is going to launch the NEIR system from December 16 to prevent the use of unregistered mobile phone handsets and ensure security in the telecommunications sector. If this is launched, the government hopes that the use of unregistered, stolen or unauthorized imported phones will be completely stopped on the country’s mobile network.
