Officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have officially withdrawn their complete shutdown protest, ending weeks of administrative disruption that affected import-export operations and the national supply chain.
The announcement came late Sunday during a joint press conference held by the NBR Reform Unity Council and leading business representatives at the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Business leaders urged an end to the standoff for the sake of economic stability. “Much damage has already been done,” one participant said. “We’ve decided, in the national interest, to move forward through dialogue.”
Advisory Committee Gains Support
The government recently formed a five-member advisory committee to address demands for structural reform at the NBR. The Reform Unity Council welcomed the move and expressed hope for sustainable change through cooperation.
“We plan to work actively with this committee and contribute to long-term revenue reform,” said one spokesperson from the NBR officials’ side.
The committee will engage with all stakeholders, including business leaders and NBR staff, to assess policy directions and administrative efficiency.
According to Finance Adviser Salman F Rahman, who met with business leaders at the Secretariat on Sunday, the advisory group will be responsible for gathering feedback and offering reform proposals. “The committee will listen to all sides,” he said. “NBR employees, business figures—everyone.”
Earlier Actions and Government Response
The protest had escalated after the government dissolved the NBR on May 12, replacing it with two new departments: the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Administration Division.
Since then, the Reform Unity Council launched a series of programs demanding structural adjustments and leadership changes. This included a complete shutdown on June 28 and 29, which severely disrupted trade activity.
In response, the government declared all posts under customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates, and tariff stations as essential services. A statement from the Chief Adviser’s Office later warned that the protests were illegal and harmful to national interests.
“There will be direct action if the situation escalates,” the statement read.
Next Steps
With the withdrawal of the shutdown, attention now turns to the newly formed advisory committee and whether it can broker lasting reform. Business leaders said the government has assured them of stability moving forward.
“There should be no further disruption,” one said. “We were given a clear message from the government, and we’ve passed that confidence to the NBR officials.”
For now, NBR services have resumed, and talks are underway. The next phase will likely determine whether this fragile understanding holds or gives way to renewed tensions.
