Traders irked as NBR protest disrupts export-import activities

Leaders of several trade bodies have expressed deep annoyance over the ongoing protest enforced by National Board of Revenue (NBR) staff and officials, saying it is severely disrupting the country’s export and import activities.

The export and import activities of the country were held hostage for several days due to the complete shutdown programme of the NBR officials, they said equivocally while addressing a press conference held at a hotel in Dhaka on Saturday.

The prevailing immobility is a clear and ominous sign for the country’s overall economy, the said business leaders, calling upon the government to take urgent measures to this end immediately.

While talking to reporters at the press conference, Mahbubur Rahman, president of the International Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, said the trade-related dialogue and interaction with the government is being badly hampered due to the protest.

“It is urgent for the relevant ministries and departments of the government, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce and BIDA, to sit for a discussion with the protesting officers and employees to address the feud,” Rahman said.

In his written statement, Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Pervez), president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), called for immediate action to prevent further damage to the national economy caused by the ongoing movement.

“It is the peak season for our ready-made garments, leather goods, footwear, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing and plastic industries, with winter approaching fast,” he said.

In a joint statement, the business community leaders urged the government to review the disputed ordinance through inclusive and transparent dialogue with all stakeholders, ensuring reforms reflecting both international best practices and national realities.