BB launches campaign to push Bangla QR payments

The Bangladesh Bank today organised a daylong campaign at its headquarters to promote the use of Bangla QR codes for digital payments, with the interoperable system set to become mandatory from July 1 at all merchant payment points.

The campaign saw officials and employees of the central bank make purchases at temporary stalls set up by companies including Unilever Bangladesh, Agora, Meena Bazar, Shwapno, Unimart, Savoy Ice Cream, RFL Group, and Mr D.I.Y. by scanning Bangla QR codes instead of using cash.

Nurun Nahar, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB), inaugurated the event titled "Bangla QR Transaction Campaign". It was organised with support from Dutch-Bangla Bank.

Speaking at the event, Md Habibur Rahman, deputy governor of the central bank, said the initiative would make payments easier and safer by allowing customers to pay exact amounts without carrying cash.

He urged banks and payment service providers to integrate Bangla QR into their mobile applications to ensure broader accessibility.

Wider adoption of digital payments would help formalise economic activities, expand the country's GDP, and strengthen the overall economy by bringing more people into the formal financial system, he added.

Md Kabir Ahmed, deputy governor of BB, said increased digital transactions would improve Bangladesh's tax-to-GDP ratio by enhancing transparency and expanding the tax net.

He also said the central bank plans to launch an interoperable Instant Payment System next year, enabling real-time fund transfers between mobile wallets and bank accounts.

The BB official said a stronger digital financial infrastructure would boost productivity, lower transaction costs, facilitate emergency fund transfers, and help curb money laundering through improved transaction traceability.

Mobile financial service (MFS) provider Nagad said it formally integrated with Bangla QR and the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) network today, joining a nationwide merchant network of nearly 10 lakh under the Bangla QR umbrella.

In addition to Bangla QR, the MFS provider said it has launched an instant "Transfer Money" feature, enabling seamless fund transfers between personal accounts across all banks and other MFS operators.

Md Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, deputy governor of BB, and Mashrur Arefin, chairman of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh and managing director of City Bank, were also present in the inauguration.