Swapon promotes Bangla QR to expand cashless payments

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the government is steadily moving Bangladesh towards a technology-driven future, with cashless transactions forming a key part of its digital transformation.

He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to journalists at an event held at the Batighar and Prothoma Prokashoni bookshops at Aziz Super Market in Shahbagh, Dhaka.

The programme, organised with support from Bangladesh Bank, was aimed at encouraging the use of the Bangla QR code to expand digital payments across the country.

The minister said the government was working to bring Bangladesh to the highest level of technology-based financial transactions. "The modernisation of the country's overall transaction system and its transition to a cashless economy is an important part of this transformation," he said.

He noted that many countries were significantly ahead of Bangladesh in adopting digital payment technologies. According to the minister, policy delays and shortcomings under previous governments had prevented both the state and the public from fully embracing modern financial technology.

"This government has broken this inaction and the journey towards cashless transactions has begun today through the Bangla QR code," he said.

Recalling his own experience, the minister said he had always bought books from the shops using cash. "Today, for the first time in my life as a customer, I bought books using cashless technology by scanning the Bangla QR code," he said.

He added that many people did not realise how simple and convenient digital payments could be until they used the technology. He urged consumers to use the Bangla QR code when making purchases and called for wider adoption of technology across all sectors.

The minister also encouraged banks participating in the initiative, including Dutch-Bangla Bank's Rocket mobile financial service, as well as the public, to reduce reliance on cash and embrace QR-based digital payments.

Senior officials from Bangladesh Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank attended the programme.