Protesting NBR officials withdraw ‘shutdown’ movement

The NBR Reform Unity Council has withdrawn its work boycott movement across the country, the organisation’s leaders announced on Sunday night.

Earlier in the evening, export-import-related activities resumed at the inland container depots at Chattogram seaport with customs officials returning to duties.

The protest withdrawal announcement was made at a press briefing jointly addressed by top business leaders and NBR’s anti-reform protest organisers at the headquarters of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), Tejgaon in the capital at 9.30pm.

NBR Reform Unity Council President Hasan Mohammad Tarek Rikabder and BCI President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury delivered remarks on behalf of their respective bodies at the press briefing.

NBR officials withdrew their movement on assurances from business leaders following a key meeting between the government and the private sector, sources said.

A section of NBR officials have been protesting for over two months against the government’s 12 May order to split the tax regulatory authority for improving tax collection and curbing corruption.

Later, they called for the removal of NBR chairman as a pre-condition for starting talks with the government on addressing their objections to the 12 May split order.

The government also announced a five-member advisory committee to address the crisis. In the Sunday night press briefing, the NBR Reform Unity Council said it “welcomed” the new advisory committee.