Dhaka, Jan. 13 -- The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has slashed customs duty on imported mobile phones by 60 per cent aimed at keeping handset prices within the purchasing capacity of consumers amid rising living costs.

The NBR issued two separate statutory regulatory orders in this regard.

According to an NBR notification, the customs duty on imported finished mobile phones has been reduced to 10 per cent from the existing 25 per cent.

The revenue authority said on Tuesday the decision was taken to ensure that mobile phones remain affordable for the general public and to facilitate wider access to digital services.

To protect local mobile phone assembling companies from facing adverse competition due to the duty cut on finished han...