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Dhaka : Bangladesh Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association (MIOB) today organized a press conference with the aim of strengthening transparency in the country’s mobile phone industry, ensuring consumer protection, and building a secure digital environment. The press conference, themed ‘NEIR-এর হাত ধরে শুরু হোক নিরাপদ বাংলাদেশ’ (Towards a Safer Bangladesh through NEIR), was held at InterContinental Dhaka.
At the event, detailed discussions were held on the long-term positive impact of the recently implemented National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), its benefits for consumers, and its role in strengthening the country’s mobile phone ecosystem. The event also condemned the incident of vandalism at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) office linked to the implementation of NEIR and called for restraint from any form of violence. Members of MIOB and representatives from across the industry attended the conference.
MIOB stated that the government’s decision to implement NEIR from January 1, alongside reducing smartphone import duties to encourage legitimate imports and maintain market discipline, is both timely and positive. According to the association, these steps will help address long-standing irregularities in the mobile phone industry and encourage the establishment of a more organized and disciplined market system.
Speakers notedthat NEIR will make it easier to identify and control illegal, counterfeit, and stolen mobile phones, thereby directly enhancing consumer security. At the same time, preventing the use of illegal IMEIs will significantly reduce phone cloning, fraud, and various criminal activities. They further emphasized that the initiative would create an environment for legitimate business and fair competition, while strengthening the foundation of the country’s digital economy alongside increasing government revenue collection.
According to MIOB, combining both local and foreign capital, more than BDT 3,000 crore has been invested in 18 smartphone manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh. The sector directly employs around 50,000 skilled workers and supports another 50,000 people through dealers, DSRs, service centers, and retail operations. Around 30 percent of the workforce in the sector is made up of women. In addition, the industry contributes a significant amount to government revenues each year through taxes, wages, and utility payments.
However, MIOB expressed deep concern over recent violent and disorderly activities carried out by certain illegal smartphone retailers centering on the implementation of NEIR. The association noted that despite the government’s timely decision and the acceptance of reduced smartphone import duties, a limited group-representing only around 1,000 to 1,500 out of nearly 12,000 mobile phone businesses nationwide, has engaged in unlawful activities in protest.
According to MIOB, these activities include bringing in outsiders to create disruptions, vandalizing the BTRC office, attempting to create sympathy by involving children, and forcibly shutting down legally operating mobile phone shops in different parts of the country. In addition, field-level employees have been threatened, leaving legitimate businesses exposed to significant financial losses and mental distress.
The association stated that such unlawful actions not only disrupt public order but also damage the country’s investment environment and international image. Particularly in a sector like smartphones, which is heavily dependent on foreign direct investment (FDI), such instability sends negative signals to potential investors. This uncertainty, MIOB warned, could discourage not only existing investments but also future investment flows and the interest of local entrepreneurs. The association emphasized that any policy-related disagreement should be resolved through peaceful and lawful means, and that a firm stance is essential to protect legitimate business and investment.
Commenting on the issue, MIOB PresidentJakaria Shahid said,“NEIR implementation is a timely and positive initiative to ensure discipline, transparency, and consumer protection in the country’s mobile phone industry. It will make it easier to control illegal and counterfeit mobile phones and create an environment of legitimate business and fair competition. We commend the government for this important initiative. At the same time, we strongly condemn the vandalism at the BTRC office and any form of violence or unlawful activity surrounding NEIR implementation. With continued policy consistency and an investment-friendly environment, we believe the smartphone industry can play an even greater role in the national economy in the future.”
-Press Release
