Dhaka: Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today announced that the government is actively considering establishing an e-commerce authority to effectively regulate online businesses. The announcement was made in response to an emergency notice under rules 71 of the rules of procedure, raised by opposition lawmaker M Rashedul Islam Rashed of Sherpur-1, at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal presiding.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister emphasized that the e-commerce sector is continuously evolving, and the government intends to place registered multi-level marketing (MLM) companies under strict surveillance by creating this new authority. This move comes in the wake of a significant increase in online business activities in Bangladesh, particularly before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address the rapid expansion and potential issues in the sector, the commerce ministry has already implemented several laws, including the national digital commerce policy, digital commerce operation guidelines, and digital business identity registration guidelines. These measures aim to bring MLM companies under a legal framework and ensure consumer protection.
Minister Muktadir highlighted past financial scams involving companies such as E-valley, E-Orange, Q-com, Dhamaka-shopping, and Alisha Mart, revealing that 58,720 allegations of financial fraud have been filed by consumers with the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection. The financial claims related to these allegations amount to nearly Taka 3,869 crore.
Until 2022, Bangladesh lacked a legal authority to oversee and register online business companies. In response, the commerce ministry introduced digital business identity registration guidelines and tasked the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) with providing registration to these businesses. To date, the RJSC has registered approximately 1,902 online business companies.
Following the filing of financial allegations against online business companies, the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection has managed to recover Taka 531 crore from fraudulent companies. Of this amount, Taka 472 crore has already been disbursed to rightful consumer accounts, with the remaining amount set to be distributed after necessary verifications.