DHAKA: Mobile-phone operators Tuesday demanded withdrawal of VAT that has just been imposed on mobile SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards in the proposed national budget.

They also demanded reduction of compensation amount and inclusion of provision for appeal in the amended Telecom Act.

Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) made the demands from a post-budget press conference titled ‘Tax in Telecommunication sector and Amended Bangladesh Telecommunications Bill 2010’ at a city hotel.

President of AMTOB Zakiul Alam presented six-point recommendation at the meet. The demands include logical amount of compensation, opportunity to file appeal and change of license rules, if necessary, through discussion.

Terming the proposal for sharply increasing the amount of compensation in the budget from Tk 10 lakh to Tk 3 crore ‘illogical’, he said it would hamper their business.

CEO of Grameen Phone Woodvar Hashjedal said that the government of Bangladesh should make investment-friendly policy, as it wants to increase foreign investment.

Chief executives of six mobile phone-operating companies--Grameen Phone’s CEO Oddvar Hesjedal, CEO of Banglalink Ahmed Abu Doma, CEO of Robi Michel Coeanar, CEO of Citycell Mehabubur Chowdhury, CEO of Warid Telecom Cris Tobit and MD of Teletalk Mujibur Rahman--attended the press meet.

BST 1636 HRS, June 22, 2010
SR/ARF/SMS/MUA