60 percent of mobile phones in Bangladesh imported illegaly: MIOB

The Mobile Phone Industrial Owners of Bangladesh (MIOB) has revealed that around 60% of mobile phones in the country are illegally imported, causing an annual revenue loss of nearly BDT 2,000 crore.

The statement was made at a press conference at the capital's Rawa Club on Wednesday (November 5).

MIOB President Zakaria Shahid urged effective implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), set to launch on December 16, to curb illegal imports.

He also emphasized that despite a 60% rise in production costs, handset prices have not increased, and misinformation campaigns against NEIR are misleading consumers.

MIOB Vice President Redwanul Haque noted that almost all top global brands now produce phones locally, fulfilling 90% of domestic demand, but illegal imports prevent full utilisation of local production capacity.

Zakaria Shahid assured that NEIR would not raise handset prices and would boost government revenue significantly.

MIOB CEO Monirul Islam, Mobile Phone Distribution Association Organising Secretary Rahul Kapuria, Mobile Consumers Association President Abdullah Al Mamun, Samsung Bangladesh authorised distributor Excel Telecom Executive Director Saifuddin, and Vivo Bangladesh representative Imam Uddin were present at the conference.