Tarana for more operators in MFS business

“MFS should be run by more mobile phone operators in Bangladesh. It will bring more competitiveness to the market,” she said at a round-table on “financial inclusion in Bangladesh: opportunities, challenges and way forward through digital financial service” in Dhaka yesterday. The round-table was organised by Telecom Reporters’ Network, Bangladesh (TRNB), a platform of journalists working in the country’s telecommunication sector. TRNB President Rashed Mehedi presided over the seminar while its Secretary Shamim Ahamed made a presentation describing the increased importance of digital financial service and financial technology on the global perspective. Addressing the roundtable, Tarana Halim said: “The lone mobile financial service provider bKash has already achieved success in the sector.” “It will be a discriminatory step if other mobile phone operators are not given the chance to run the business.” “Considering the fact, I urge Bangladesh Bank and BTRC to work together, so the sector can be opened up for all the mobile phone operators,” state minister said. Tarana stressed the need to bring unbanked population under the banking system. Shah Alam, deputy inspector general of police (CID), explaining the details of different crimes in the cyber transaction. But he said: “Although over-the-counter use of agents for transferring funds is forbidden, it has witnessed a sharp rise in Bangladesh. In most of the cases, criminals are now depending on OTC to dodge law-enforcing agencies.” Grameenphone’s senior specialist on financial service Rasheda Sultana said loans, saving bonds, merchant payments, insurance and other services could also be offered through digital financial services. Ashim Das Gupta, bKash adviser, said the organisation has now strong position overcoming different barriers and quality problems. Robi Digital Service Head Mohammad Manzur Rahman underscored the need of policy formulation on the future market. The dialogue was also addressed, among others, by BTRC Director (system and service) Lt Col Zulfiqar Ali and BB Deputy Director Progya Paramita Saha.