Allow accused e-com firms to continue business

Director-General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) AHM Shafiquzzaman on Tuesday underlined the importance of allowing the accused e-commerce companies to continue business in the interest of the consumers.
He observed that the ongoing business operations of these companies are essential for them to fulfil their financial obligations to the consumers.
"Without a functioning business, it would be challenging for the companies to repay the customers who are still waiting for their money," he said.
Mr Shafiquzzaman made the observations at a discussion meeting titled 'E-commerce and e-service sector, consumer rights: Our responsibility,' held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city, organised by the Mobile Phone Users Association.
Mr Shafiquzzaman acknowledged that the companies operating within the country are actively working to settle their dues and fulfill their responsibilities to consumers.
However, he highlighted a more significant challenge posed by companies that have absconded with funds and relocated abroad, resulting in a halt to their activities and complicating the process of recovering consumers' money.
Mr Shafiquzzaman disclosed that till date, an impressive Tk3.87 billion had been returned to consumers, with major players like Qcom, Alisha Mart, and Evaly contributing Tk3.08 billion, Tk 400 million, and Tk100 million respectively.
However, the DNCRP chief lamented the difficulty in retrieving funds from the companies like e-orange, whose owners had fled, sent money abroad through hundi, making it nearly impossible to trace and arrest them.
Mr Shafiquzzaman admitted that e-commerce played pivotal role in fostering a digital Bangladesh, providing essential services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He iterated the necessity of regulating the sector, referring to the establishment of rules, the implementation of cash-on-delivery system, and the mandatory use of DBID to curb irregularities.
In addressing concern over fraudulent activities, Mr Shafiquzzaman highlighted the upcoming Customer Complaint Management System (CCMS) exclusively dedicated to handling e-commerce complaints.
He assured that stringent measures were being put in place to monitor and regulate these entities effectively.
Regarding Evaly, Mr Shafiquzzaman expressed optimism, stating that the organisation had initiated the process of refunding money to consumers.
He revealed plans for a staged refund, with the first batch of 100 customers scheduled to receive their reimbursements by January 30, 2024.
With Bangladesh Mobile Phone Users Association president Mohiuddin Ahmed in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Competition Commission Director Gazi Golam Tausif, E-CAB General Secretary Abdul Waheed Tamal, and Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Vice President SM Nazer Hossain.
Earlier speakers, acknowledging the current US $3.0 billion (Tk 250 billion) market size of the e-commerce sector in Bangladesh, anticipated substantial growth to Tk1.5 trillion by 2026.
Currently e-commerce accounts for only 1.5 percent of the country's total retail sales. The Ministry of Commerce recently prepared a list of 32 accused e-commerce companies, revealing a total customer debt of Tk5.31 billion.
Of them, 18 companies are yet to refund the owed amounts, prompting regulatory measures.
Despite a successful Tk3.10 billion refund programme in 2022, the commerce ministry reported a decline in 2023, with only Tk770 million returned. Customers are yet to get their Tk1.44 billion.

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