Dhaka, Dec 07 (V7N)- Protesting mobile phone traders have blocked the road beneath the Agargaon Metro Station in the capital, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. The blockade began shortly after 11:30 am on Sunday (December 7).

According to Shamim Mollah, Senior Vice President of the Mobile Business Community, representatives of the protesting traders are currently attending a meeting at the BTRC headquarters, following an invitation from the BTRC and the ICT Ministry. However, he warned that if the interests of traders are not protected, “no solution will come from the talks.”

Earlier in the morning, mobile phone traders and employees demonstrated in front of the BTRC building, pressing for their six-point charter of demands, including a reduction in import duties. Police cordoned off the area during the protest.

Traders allege that the planned implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) will severely affect millions of small and medium mobile phone sellers, while benefiting only a select group. They also warn that increased taxes will raise mobile phone prices for consumers.

On Saturday, the traders’ association Mobile Business Community Bangladesh announced an indefinite nationwide shutdown of mobile phone shops.

Their Key Demands Include:

  • Abolishing the mandatory contract between mobile importers and local smartphone manufacturers for import approval.
  • Reducing import duty to 15 percent to prevent discriminatory market control and support small and medium traders.
  • Ending special funding arrangements for local manufacturers and ensuring NEIR is implemented using government resources.
  • Removing conditions on the sale of unsold mobile phones currently in traders’ possession or allowing more time for clearance.
  • Releasing demo/tutorial videos and running pilot programs for at least six months before NEIR implementation.
  • Ensuring a simple, effective, and timely BTRC vendor enlistment process.

Traffic in the Agargaon area remained heavily disrupted as the protest continued into the afternoon.

END/SMA/AJ