Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), representing smartphone and gadget traders, held a peaceful human chain in Dhaka demanding government dialogue before implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). The traders, who claim to control over 70% of the mobile market, argue that the NEIR policy was announced without prior consultation, creating instability and threatening the livelihoods of over two million people linked to around 25,000 businesses. They warned that enforcing NEIR under its current structure could lead to monopolistic control by a few companies, price hikes, and harm to consumers and the digital economy. MBCB proposed several reforms, including canceling mandatory manufacturer agreements, allowing automatic handset registration upon customs clearance, reducing the 57% import duty, and ensuring multi-ministerial oversight of NEIR. They cautioned that failure to engage in discussions before the December 16 launch would trigger a nationwide protest by mobile traders.