Dhaka, June 28, 2025 – The ongoing agitation by officials and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) against the decision to split the organization into two entities has severely disrupted Bangladesh’s import and export activities. In a press conference held on Saturday at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka, leaders from 15 top business organizations voiced their concerns and urged the government for immediate intervention.
Business leaders highlighted that amid global political and economic volatility, Bangladesh’s macroeconomy is already under strain. The internal deadlock at NBR is exacerbating the situation, creating a severe negative impact on trade and commerce. Since May 14, NBR officials have been observing a pen-down strike, which escalated to a “full shutdown” starting Saturday. This has raised alarm bells for the country’s export-driven economy.
According to the business community, critical operations under NBR’s jurisdiction, such as raw material clearance and issuance of Utilization Permits (UP), are facing significant delays. Previously issued in a day, UPs now take 10–15 days, causing goods to pile up at ports and suffer damage due to exposure to weather. This has led to production disruptions and threats from international buyers to cancel export orders.
The leaders noted that port demurrage charges have surged up to four times the standard rate, significantly increasing business costs. With export-oriented sectors already facing challenges, this stagnation could deliver a major blow to the economy.
June and July are critical months for industries like garments, leather, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, agricultural processing, and plastics, as they focus on producing winter goods. The paralysis at key institutions like the Customs House and Bond Commissionerate is disrupting the supply chain. Business leaders warned that prolonged disruptions could lead foreign buyers to shift orders to neighboring countries, resulting in significant financial losses for Bangladesh.
While supporting NBR’s modernization and reform, the business community argued that removing the NBR chairman is not a solution and could create further uncertainty. They proposed five key recommendations to resolve the crisis:
1. Engage in discussions with agitating NBR officials to restore import-export operations.
2. Re-evaluate the controversial ordinance to split NBR through consultations with stakeholders.
3. Ensure transparent, harassment-free, and accountable services at NBR and related agencies.
4. Promote coordinated development of regulatory bodies involved in supply chains, investment, and trade.
5. Issue directives from the Chief Adviser’s Office for coordinated reforms across the Finance, Commerce, and Industry Ministries.
The business leaders urged the government to hold joint discussions involving the Finance Ministry, Commerce Ministry, and BIDA to find a coordinated solution. They also called on NBR officials to withdraw their strike and resume work in the interest of the nation.
The press conference was attended by prominent business leaders, including ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, BCI President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell, and others.
Note For Readers:
The CEO handles all legal and staff issues. Claiming human help before the first hearing isn't part of our rules.
Our system uses humans and AI, including freelance journalists, editors, and reporters.
The CEO can confirm if your issue involves a person or AI.
by 
