Govt steps up push for digital finance

329 public services already digitalised under FID
Estonia model studied to strengthen

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday called for accelerating the digitalisation of Bangladesh’s financial services, saying innovation and technology are critical to improving service delivery, enhancing transparency and lowering costs to support economic development.

Speaking at the Innovation Showcasing 2025–26 programme organised by the Financial Institutions Division (FID) at the Finance Division’s Multipurpose Hall, the minister said Bangladesh must speed up its digital transformation to enable citizens to access public and financial services without having to visit government offices or financial institutions.

“Bangladesh must accelerate its digital transformation so that citizens can access public and financial services without visiting offices,” he said.

The minister said the government’s objective is to bring businesses, professionals, farmers, workers and the wider public under a comprehensive digital services network, making technology an inclusive platform for economic and social participation.

“There is no alternative to technology and digitalisation if we want to move the country forward,” he said, adding that digital services would improve transparency, reduce costs and save people’s valuable time.

He said the national budget has placed significant emphasis on digital skills and technology to ensure people across all professions can benefit from the expanding digital economy.

Referring to efforts to strengthen digital governance, the minister said a high-level government delegation is currently visiting Estonia to study its internationally recognised digital governance model.

While noting Bangladesh’s progress in digital financial services, he said further efforts are needed to expand public access and increase the use of digital platforms.

He urged banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions to encourage customers to use online services instead of visiting branches, suggesting that dedicated staff be assigned to help customers understand and use digital platforms.

“If customers continue to visit offices for services that are already available online, we have failed to communicate the benefits of digitalisation,” he said.

The minister also called for broader public awareness campaigns to familiarise citizens with the convenience and advantages of digital financial services.

He said wider digital adoption would reduce travel expenses, ease traffic congestion, save time and ultimately enhance national productivity.

“Our goal is to ensure that people do not have to visit government offices, banks or insurance companies for services that can be delivered digitally,” he said.

Amir Khosru further stressed the need to fully implement digital initiatives across all financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies and the capital market, saying innovation would deliver meaningful economic benefits only when digital services become widely accessible.

Presiding over the event, Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek said the effective use of technology and incremental innovation is making public services simpler, faster and more accessible, while strengthening transparency and accountability.

She said digital innovation is also improving governance by increasing tax compliance and helping prevent corruption, financial irregularities and money laundering.

During the programme, five offices and agencies received awards in recognition of outstanding innovation across five categories.

According to the Financial Institutions Division, 329 public services have so far been digitalised by its 25 offices and agencies, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise financial administration and improve service delivery.