Bangladesh is continuing efforts to introduce PayPal and other international payment services to make cross-border transactions easier for the country's growing freelance workforce, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam told Parliament on Wednesday.
Responding to a question from BNP lawmaker Nipun Roy Chowdhury in the House, the minister said the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division is maintaining regular communication and coordination with Bangladesh Bank, relevant policymakers and international service providers, including PayPal, to facilitate the launch of global payment services in the country.
"To facilitate international transactions for the country's freelancers, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division is continuing regular communication and coordination with Bangladesh Bank, relevant policymaking bodies, and the authorities of relevant international service providers including PayPal, to launch payment services," he said.
The question-and-answer session was tabled by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, after the parliamentary sitting began at around 3:00pm.
The minister also said work is underway to develop a comprehensive policy framework for freelancers. The proposed policy will focus on skills development, market expansion, social protection, tax simplification and formal recognition of income earned from overseas clients.
He said the ICT Division remains committed to creating a supportive, institutionalised and globally connected working environment for freelancers, enabling them to participate more effectively in international digital markets.
The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen Bangladesh's freelancing sector and improve access to international payment systems, which many freelancers have long identified as a key challenge in receiving payments from foreign clients.
