bKash engages merchants nationwide to boost Bangla QR adoption

To accelerate Bangladesh Bank’s universal ‘Bangla QR’ initiative and strengthen the cashless payment ecosystem, bKash has held view exchange sessions with merchants nationwide, involving around 1,500 merchants across 97 zones.
The sessions highlighted how digital payments can reduce cash-handling risks, ease bookkeeping, improve transparency and help merchants access credit based on transaction records. bKash, in partnership with BRAC Bank, has already piloted collateral-free digital nano loans for micro and small entrepreneurs, says a press release. 
Merchants were also briefed on ‘Digital Payment Speakers’, which provide instant audio confirmation of transactions. Customers can use ‘Pay Later’ for instant purchases, while bKash users can also pay with linked Visa cards or add money through partner banks.
To expand Bangla QR adoption, bKash is conducting awareness campaigns in traditional markets and commercial centres nationwide.
The company has replaced regular QR codes with Bangla QR at more than 800,000 merchant points, with merchant payments averaging over Tk 2 billion a day.