In response to the ongoing deadlock at the National Board of Revenue (NBR), leading business and industrial figures in Bangladesh convened an emergency press conference on Saturday (June 28) at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka. Expressing grave concern over the situation, they urged immediate government intervention to prevent a potential collapse in export, investment, and overall economic stability.
The speakers noted that an ordinance issued on May 12, 2025, to restructure NBR into two separate divisions has triggered serious discontent among its officials. This led to the initiation of a pen-down strike starting May 14, which has escalated over time. As of today, June 28, the protesting officials have declared a “complete shutdown” of operations.
The business community warned that the limited working hours (from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) in NBR offices have severely disrupted customs clearance, leading to increased lead times, production delays, and spoilage of goods at ports. Many exporters are now facing threats of order cancellations from international buyers and paying four times the regular demurrage charges, significantly increasing the cost of doing business.
They highlighted that June-July is a peak season for export-oriented industries such as RMG, leather, footwear, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and plastics. Any failure to meet export deadlines due to the NBR shutdown could result in permanent loss of buyers to competing countries, causing irreversible damage to Bangladesh’s economy. Moreover, delayed shipments are affecting cash flow, especially at a time when businesses are under pressure to settle annual bank interest dues.
The business leaders made the following key recommendations:
- Immediate dialogue with protesting NBR officials to resume essential services, especially those related to import and export, without delay.
- Re-evaluate the ordinance that split the NBR into two divisions, through inclusive consultation with stakeholders and in line with international best practices and national interests.
- Ensure transparency and accountability in all regulatory bodies, including NBR, to guarantee hassle-free services for businesses.
- Initiate coordinated reforms in NBR and related trade-regulatory institutions through stakeholder engagement and time-bound implementation under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Avoid the removal of the NBR Chairman, as such a move may not resolve the crisis and could further complicate matters.
The business community emphasized the urgency of resolving the situation through inclusive dialogue involving the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, and BIDA. They also urged the striking NBR officials to withdraw their pen-down and shutdown programs immediately, without preconditions, in the greater interest of the national economy.
“We firmly believe this crisis can be resolved through inclusive discussion and reforms that will allow honest, capable officers to continue serving the nation and positively contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth,” the statement concluded.
The press conference was attended by Mahbubur Rahman, President of ICC Bangladesh; Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI); Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of BGMEA; Shawkat Aziz Russell, President of BTMA; Mohammad Hatem, President of BKMEA; Syed Nasim Manzur, President of LFMEAB; Taskeen Ahmed, President of DCCI; Kamran Tanvir Rahman, President of MCCI; former FBCCI Presidents Mir Nasir Hossain and A.K. Azad; former caretaker government adviser Tapan Chowdhury; Moinul Islam, President of BCMEA; Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahin, Chairman of BFLLFEA; Shamim Ahmed, President of BPGMEA; and A. Matin Chowdhury, former President of BTMA.
