According to the Customs Act 2023 of the Bangladesh government, export-oriented industrial companies are allowed to import raw materials and equipment without paying customs duties and taxes to get bonded facilities. However, products produced under bonded facilities in other industries, except for the garment industry, are not allowed to be sold in the domestic market. In such a situation, medical equipment manufacturer JMI has applied to the government for permission to break this rule and sell their products in the country.

JMI claims that there is a demand for their products in the domestic market and currently no other company is producing products to meet the market demand. They say that if they get the opportunity to sell their products in Bangladesh, foreign exchange will be saved. But experts say that JMI is applying to break this rule to create a monopoly in the country’s health sector on its own.

JMI recently wrote a letter to the NBR chairman, in which they specifically seek permission to sell BTS, which they produce for kidney patients, in the domestic market.

Despite JMI being influential in the health sector, those concerned are alleging that the company has been the victim of lawsuits for supplying low-quality health equipment. In the past, JMI was also accused of supplying ordinary face masks in the name of supplying N-95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting healthcare workers at risk.

Finally, there is anger and dissatisfaction among stakeholders over the issue, especially as they feel that JMI is causing losses to importers by capturing the market for its products, and this has led to discomfort among healthcare workers. The government should think more deeply about this issue and take necessary measures.