BB launches ‘Bangla QR’ campaign to promote cashless transactions

Bangladesh Bank has launched a special initiative to promote cashless transactions across the country and encourage wider adoption of the ‘Bangla QR’ payment system.

In collaboration with Dutch-Bangla Bank, the central bank organized a day-long campaign on Thursday to raise awareness among its officers and employees and encourage the use of QR-code-based payments in daily transactions.

Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar formally inaugurated this special campaign at the Bangladesh Bank’s head office premises at 11 am on Thursday (June 25). Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed were present as special guests.

The event was attended by the Association of Bankers of Bangladesh (ABB), the organization of top executives of banks, and Mashrur Arefin, the Managing Director of City Bank, along with the CEOs and Managing Directors of various banks.
The main objective of the ‘Bangla QR Transaction Campaign’ is to demonstrate the effectiveness and convenience of cashless payments in everyday financial transactions.

Organized by the Communications and Publications Department of Bangladesh Bank, several leading FMCG and retail companies of the country have participated in this campaign. Temporary marketing centers or stalls of these companies have been set up on the bank premises, where bank officials and employees are gaining experience in shopping and paying bills by directly scanning Bangla QR codes.

Notable companies participating in the campaign include Unilever Bangladesh, Agora (Rahim Afroz), Meena Bazar, ACI Logistics Limited (Swapn), Unimart, Savoy Ice Cream, RFL Group and MR DIY.

Officers and employees at all levels of Bangladesh Bank's Dhaka center will complete transactions using 'Bangla QR' in a digital way instead of cash in this campaign. Through this, the concerned policymakers hope that it will be possible to gain practical experience on the field level about the digital payment ecosystem and ensure its accessibility.