Want immediate end to NBR stalemate

Concerned over a grave crisis stemming from taxmen's strike, businesses Saturday demanded immediate resolution of the deadlock at the National Board of Revenue as they said the shutdown programme disrupted export-import activities and overall trade.

They also called on both the interim government and the protesters to sit to discuss to resolve the reform issue  without stopping the customs-related activities which are the lifeline of the economy.

The business community expressed their solidarity with the reform of the NBR and also said that the demand for removal of the NBR chairman "is not acceptable".

Leaders of the country's top trade chambers made the demands at a joint press conference held Saturday at a city hotel.

To press for removal of the NBR Chairman and inclusive reforms in the revenue sector, the protesting officials and employees under NBR Reform Unity Council banner enforced a complete shutdown on Saturday.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Mahbubur Rahman, president of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB), said, "Interaction between the government and the private sector is always very important in any country. But such interaction and dialogue between the interim government and businesses becomes stagnant to many extents."

He said the ongoing stalemate in the NBR that has been taking place for more than a month with latest shutdown of all activities is not acceptable under any circumstances, terming the customs- related activities 'lifeline of the economy'.

He raised question over the situation of the economy, saying that exports of readymade garments that contribute more than 83 per cent of Bangladesh's foreign-currency earnings, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear, among others, came to a halt.

The ICC Bangladesh leader called on both the interim government and NBR officials to sit and negotiate and resolve the issues immediately without any prior conditions.

Officials of all government institutions, including the NBR,  are not trade-union leaders and they "can't agitate like labour protests", he said and called NBR officials not to take such 'suicidal' decision of pen-down strike or complete shutdown.

Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, in a written statement said, "Without wasting any time, it is very urgent for the concerned ministries and departments of the government-ministries of finance, and commerce and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority- under the leadership of Chief Adviser's Office to sit for discussion with the demonstrating officials and employees to resolve the issue."

He also called on the protesting officials to return to work without any preconditions and delays for the sake of the economy.

"On behalf of the business community, we call upon the government to take immediate measures to ensure fair protection of the protesting officers and employees' future and to prevent further damage to the country's economy," he added.

This crisis can be resolved through an inclusive dialogue, where honest and efficient officials, under a logical reform of the NBR, can once again serve the nation without hesitation and contribute positively to the economy of Bangladesh, he notes.

Speaking there, exporters expressed fear about the risk of losing fresh work orders from global brands and buyers, costly air shipments and even order cancellation as they cannot release goods from the ports because of the complete strike by the NBR officials that resulted in delays in shipments and further prolonging the lead time.

The ongoing stalemate at the NBR would create image crisis among the global buyers that would severely affect the exports that has already been passing tough times due to many existing challenges.

"It is a matter of our existence and we want an immediate solution," said Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

He warned that the complete shutdown of operations has been disrupting export-import activities worth about Tk 25 billion daily.

Responding to a question, he said the interim government has realized the importance of the current impasse but not to the extent as required and requested the government to sit on Saturday instead of next Tuesday.

Syed Nasim Manzur, president of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh, said export-import activities and supply to the domestic market have been disrupted and global market will not be with Bangladesh.

"Customs services in any country do not shut down except during war", he said, raising question as to what kind of message is being given to the global buyers.

There are many honest officers at the NBR and they must have space to discuss and to raise concerns about what their future would be under the ongoing reforms, he alerted.

"We want timely and transparent reform at the NBR which would ease and improve cost of doing business. But the government must also consider what the future holds for its officers," he told the press meet.

Showkat Aziz Russel, president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, alleged that businesses are captive to NBR and customs officials, adding that they always try to do business maintaining good relations with them. He termed the ongoing impasse 'distribution of power and money', saying that they are the ultimate sufferers.

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry leader Kamran Tanvir Rahman, former FBCCI president Mir Nasir Hossain, former BTMA president A Matin Chowdhury, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association executive president Fazlee Ehsan Shamim, and BGAPMEA president Md Shahriar were among others present at the event.

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