The government on Thursday sharply cut customs duties on mobile phone imports and reaffirmed its commitment to rolling out the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), hours after violent protests and vandalism by mobile traders at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
The Cabinet Advisory Council approved a reduction in import duty on mobile handsets from 25 per cent to 10 per cent-nearly a 60 per cent cut. Duties on locally manufactured phones were also lowered, from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, in a move aimed at encouraging legal imports, boosting domestic production and easing prices for consumers.
Under the new decision, mobile phones imported within the timeframe set by the BTRC will be registered as stock-lots in the NEIR system without additional charges. Phones brought in by expatriates will remain unblocked for three months after arrival, while short-term foreign visitors staying less than three months will not be required to register their devices. The policy shift follows a violent demonstration by mobile handset traders at the BTRC office in Agargaon on Thursday afternoon.
Protesters opposed the NEIR rollout without prior duty cuts, hurling bricks, smashing glass windows and vandalising property, including windows of the BTRC mosque while staff were praying. More than 30 people were arrested, police said, adding that no serious injuries were reported.
In a statement, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Public Relations Officer Muhammad Jasim Uddin said the government has accepted all "legitimate demands" related to duty reductions and handset legalisation. He warned, however, that those involved in vandalism would face legal action, and that enforcement against illegal imports would continue at customs points and in markets nationwide.
