The NBR Reform Unity Council, representing agitating officials and employees of Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR), has announced the withdrawal of all its protest programs, including the ongoing complete shutdown, in response to pleas from the country's top business leaders and recent government initiatives.
The decision came late Sunday following a meeting between NBR Reform Unity Council leaders and prominent business figures at the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area.
Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar, president of the reform alliance, made the announcement after the discussions.
The shutdown, which entered its second day on Sunday, had halted customs operations nationwide, severely disrupting imports, exports, and supply chains. Rikabdar acknowledged the economic gridlock and said the council welcomed efforts by business leaders to mediate.
He noted that following talks with the economic adviser to the government, some positive commitments were received. The council also expressed support for a newly formed five-member advisory committee set up by the government to steer revenue system reforms.
"We hope to actively collaborate with this committee to ensure sustainable reforms," Rikabdar said. "In the interest of the country’s economy, supply chains, and the general public, we have decided to withdraw the shutdown. However, our efforts toward a comprehensive and sustainable reform of the revenue system will continue."
BCI President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, who led the daylong talks, said business leaders engaged with the protesting NBR officials to understand their demands and later met the economic adviser. "We were largely able to assure them that there was no strong rationale for a shutdown. Some misunderstandings led to this crisis," he said. Chowdhury added that the government agreed to revisit key legal issues with NBR officials and promised inclusive discussions to achieve reforms, reassuring both businesses and protesting officials.
Earlier in the evening, an 11-member delegation of top business leaders met Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed to discuss the issue. Attendees included ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, ICCB Vice President and former FBCCI President A.K. Azad, former caretaker government adviser and Square Pharmaceuticals MD Tapan Chowdhury, former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain, LFMEAB President Syed Nasim Manzur, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, BCI President Chowdhury, MCCI President Kamran T. Rahman, MCCI Vice President and Transcom Group CEO Simeen Rahman, and DCCI President Taskin Ahmed. NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan was also present.
Business leaders assured the protesting officials that they support a separate, transparent NBR system, but emphasized that reforms must be shaped through consultations with all stakeholders to ensure fair and effective outcomes.
