Central bank chief demonstrates digital payments while consumer association urges stronger digital infrastructure for a cashless economy
Governor Promotes Bangla QR as Consumer Group Calls for Affordable Smartphones and Better Internet
Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman demonstrated the use of Bangla QR for digital payments at various roadside businesses in Dhaka to promote cashless transactions. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association called for affordable smartphones, reliable internet, and stronger cybersecurity to support the country's transition to a cashless economy.
After leaving Bangladesh Bank headquarters in Motijheel, the governor visited roadside shops, a tea stall, a supermarket, a restaurant, and a local vegetable market, where he paid for purchases by scanning Bangla QR codes with his smartphone instead of using cash.
He began the demonstration by buying products from street vendors, later paid for tea at a roadside stall, purchased a peanut bar from a supermarket, settled a restaurant bill, and finally bought vegetables from a local market using the same digital payment method.
According to Bangladesh Bank, the nationwide rollout of Bangla QR from July 1 aims to establish an integrated and interoperable digital payment system by reducing dependence on cash, eliminating the need for change, and replacing fragmented payment platforms with a unified QR-based solution.
The central bank has also set the merchant charge for Bangla QR transactions at a maximum of one percent, inclusive of value-added tax.
In a separate statement, Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association President Mohiuddin Ahmed welcomed the government's efforts to build a cashless economy but said that introducing Bangla QR alone would not be sufficient.
He said affordable smartphones, uninterrupted high-quality internet services, and accessible digital financial services must be ensured for all citizens. According to him, high smartphone prices, relatively expensive mobile internet, weak network coverage in many areas, limited digital literacy, and concerns over cyber fraud remain major barriers to expanding digital payments.
He also emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity, faster complaint resolution, consumer protection, personal data security, and awareness and training programs for elderly and less technologically experienced users.
The association called on the government to reduce smartphone prices, make mobile internet more affordable, bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas, ensure interoperability across all digital payment platforms, reduce excessive transaction charges, strengthen measures against cyber fraud, and expand Bangla QR acceptance across educational institutions, healthcare facilities, transportation, markets, and public and private services.
According to the association, treating digital technology as essential national infrastructure rather than a luxury will be key to building an inclusive, transparent, accountable, and modern cashless economy through Bangla QR.
//DBTech/MH/MUIM//
