Bangla QR to accelerate cashless economy

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday said the government is accelerating Bangladesh’s transition towards a technology-driven and cashless economy, describing the nationwide rollout of the Bangla QR code as a key step in modernising the country’s financial transaction system.

“The country is moving towards the highest level of technology-based digital transactions. The modernisation of the overall transaction system and the transition to a cashless economy are integral parts of this transformation,” he said while speaking to journalists at an event held at the Batighar and Prothoma Prokashoni bookshops at Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists at an event held at the Batighar and Prothoma Prokashoni bookshops at Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh in the capital this afternoon.

The programme, organized with the support of Bangladesh Bank, aimed at encouraging the use of the “Bangla QR” code to expand the digital transaction system.

The information minister said many countries around the world are far ahead of Bangladesh in technology-based transactions. “However, due to policy delays or failures of previous governments, neither the state nor the people could be fully connected to this modern technology,” he said.

“This government has broken this inaction and journey towards cashless transactions has begun today through the ‘Bangla QR’ code,” he added.

Recalling memories, he said, “I had always purchased books from here using cash. But today, for the first time in my life as a customer, I bought books using cashless technology by scanning the ‘Bangla QR’ code.”

“People do not realize how easy and convenient transactions can be, until they use the technology. We should maximize the use of technology in every sector,” he added urging people to use the Bangla QR while purchasing.

He also urged all banks involved in the initiative, including Dutch-Bangla Bank’s “Rocket” mobile banking service, as well as the country’s people, to avoid cash transactions and adopt technology-based payments through the “Bangla QR” code.

Senior officials of Bangladesh Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank were present at the programme.