Mobile phone traders demand reforms to NEIR

Mobile phone traders on Sunday staged a demonstration in the capital's Agargaon area demanding the reform of NEIR initiative.

The road in front of BTRC building was blocked as part of the protest - held under the banner of "Bangladesh Mobile Business Community" around 10 AM.

General Secretary of the Bangladesh Mobile Business Community Abu Sayeed Piyas said that mobile shops across the country remained closed from the morning in solidarity with the protest.

The traders' demands include eliminating syndicate practices in the sector and opening up opportunities for mobile phone imports.

Traders said the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) implementation could adversely affect millions of traders and their families.

They said that it will only benefit only a select group (of traders) as mobile phone prices may rise for consumers due to higher taxes imposed.

However, the government announced to reduce import duties on legally imported mobile phones and special facilities for expatriates bringing phones into the country.

Mr Piyas said Bangladesh Mobile Business Community has announced reduced import duties for legally imported phones and special concessions for mobile phones brought by expatriates.

The BTRC has planned to implement the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) from December 16. Through NEIR, every mobile phone will be brought under a registration system. The government has said that once this is implemented, illegally imported phones will no longer be usable.

PEOPLE SUFFER AMID PROTEST

Visiting the area around 1:00 PM the FE found that the protesting traders had taken position on the main road in front of the BTRC building. Several others were scattered across the opposite side of the road, blocking that side as well.

Vehicles were seen being diverted from the area, with heavy traffic built up on the road in front of the National Archives building in Agargaon.

Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at a roundtable on Sunday said their party will review the NEIR policy if it returns to office.

Khosru questioned why essential digital devices continue to cost more despite large government spending. "The government says it invested Tk 67,000 crore (Tk 670 billion) in 'Digital Bangladesh'. What is the outcome? Local assemblers enjoy policy preferences, but how much value are they adding?" he said.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com