Speakers at a seminar on Thursday said the proposed National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) could play a critical role in strengthening digital security, curbing illegal device trade, and safeguarding government revenue, but its success would depend on coordinated implementation, public awareness, and policy readiness.
Titled "Prospects and Challenges of Implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) in Bangladesh", the seminar was held at the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
Organised under the initiative of the ICT Division with support from the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority and the Bangladesh Computer Society, the session was chaired by ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury.
Former Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Major General (Retd) Md Nasim Parvez presented the keynote paper, while senior government officials, telecom industry representatives, law enforcement officers, and private sector stakeholders took part in the discussion.
Participants highlighted that NEIR could help address multiple challenges in Bangladesh's digital device ecosystem, including the circulation of illegal handsets, cybersecurity risks, and gaps in regulatory enforcement.
They stressed that effective implementation would require close collaboration among government agencies, mobile operators, importers, and law enforcement bodies, alongside sustained awareness campaigns for consumers.
In his keynote address, Nasim said the initiative had become urgent, noting that nearly 40 per cent of the devices in the country were illegal, causing an estimated annual revenue loss of about Tk 60 billion.
He also warned that outdated and substandard handsets posed potential health and safety risks.
Misinformation surrounding NEIR had obscured its actual objectives, he said, urging stakeholders to counter misconceptions, including claims that handset prices would rise due to the system.
Brig Gen (Retd) Md Aminul Haque of BTRC said the initiative enjoyed broad institutional support, including from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and the telecom industry.
He explained the NBR aimed to curb revenue leakages, while BIDA saw NEIR as a mechanism to protect large-scale foreign investments in the device manufacturing sector.
Law enforcement agencies, he added, viewed the system as a vital tool for enhancing public security.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Abu Bashar Talukder described cybercrime as an emerging and escalating threat, arguing that NEIR would strengthen the ability of the authorities to trace and investigate offences involving mobile devices.
Grameenphone's Imtiaz Shafique said handsets form the backbone of the telecom ecosystem, and NEIR was therefore indispensable.
He expressed optimism that a regulated device environment would further boost smartphone adoption across the country.
Mohammad Saifuddin Tipu of Excel Telecom said NEIR was crucial for protecting domestic manufacturers, noting that 18 companies currently produced mobile phones in Bangladesh, employing around 50,000 people directly and a similar number indirectly.
Despite generating about Tk 30 billion in annual revenues, he said, legitimate manufacturers accounted for only half of the market, while illegal traders dominated the rest.
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit's SM Mobashwer Hossain said mobile-related crimes were widespread and often affected ordinary citizens.
He acknowledged operational limitations in addressing every case but expressed confidence that NEIR would significantly improve the identification and investigation of offences once implemented.
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