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Chittagong Port Reopens After Customs Strike Ends

Tax and customs workers resumed duties after the interim government agreed to set up an advisory committee on revenue agency reforms

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Muhammad Yunus, interim head of the Bangladesh government, attends the 55th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
Officials at Chittagong Port, which handles the majority of Dhaka's import and export activity, said there had been no movement of goods since morning

Overview

  • Customs and tax officials returned to work overnight, ending a two-day nationwide shutdown that halted export and import processing
  • The interim government designated National Board of Revenue roles as essential services and warned of strict legal action against continuing protesters
  • Overnight talks brokered by the finance ministry and industry groups secured a pledge to form an advisory committee to oversee the NBR’s split and modernization
  • The shutdown at Chittagong Port and other customs houses jeopardized garment exports with losses estimated at over $200 million
  • The Anti-Corruption Commission has opened investigations into six NBR officials for allegedly amassing illicit wealth amid the broader reform drive