Dhaka, Nov 30 (V7N) – Mobile phone retailers across Bangladesh have announced a nationwide shutdown of all mobile phone shops on Sunday, calling for urgent reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). The decision was revealed on Saturday night through an official notice issued by the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), a national association representing smartphone and gadget traders.

According to the announcement, business owners will stage a peaceful human chain at 10 a.m. today in the Karwan Bazar–Panthapath area of the capital. At the same time, mobile phone traders in districts and divisional cities across the country will join simultaneous demonstrations to press their demands.

The MBCB stated that traders are protesting against what they describe as a monopolistic syndicate in the mobile phone business, calling for fair tax policies and an open import system for mobile devices. They argue that existing regulations and the upcoming NEIR implementation will severely restrict business operations and empower a small group of influential importers.

Shamim Molla, Senior Vice President of MBCB, said that the NEIR system must be reformed before it is enforced. “A group of 11 businesses has formed a syndicate in the mobile phone sector. We, the traders, will keep all shops closed today. If the government does not respond to our demands, we will announce tougher programs,” he said.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is preparing to fully implement NEIR from December 16. The system will register and verify all mobile devices to prevent illegal handset imports and ensure consumer safety. However, traders fear that the regulatory framework will limit their ability to source products freely, harm competition, and reduce profit margins.

The MBCB, which maintains close communication with mobile retailers nationwide, works to address policy challenges related to taxation, import rules, device registration, and trade regulations. The association often intervenes when government decisions pose potential risks to the business community.

Business owners say that unless the government facilitates open market access and dismantles alleged syndicates, thousands of small and medium traders could face financial losses, ultimately impacting the broader mobile technology market in Bangladesh.

Traders emphasized that their protest is peaceful but warned that sustained inaction by authorities will force them to escalate their movement in the coming days.

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