Bangladesh Bank has directed all banks, mobile financial services (MFS), payment service providers (PSPs) and payment system operators (PSOs) in the country to display the ‘Bangla QR’ payment option on the homepage of their mobile apps.
The directive has been issued to make digital transactions easier and more popular by reducing the use of cash.
A circular in this regard was issued by the Payment Systems Department of Bangladesh Bank on Saturday (May 23).
It has already been sent to the chief executives of all scheduled banks and related financial institutions in the country to implement the directives.
The circular states that customer registration on the mobile apps of banks and MFS institutions should be increased to encourage customers to make digital transactions.
At the same time, the Bangla QR option should be displayed on the homepage of the app in such a way that users can easily find and use it.
In addition, the central bank has ordered all retail account holders with trade licenses in the country to mandatorily onboard the Bangla QR channel.
Through this, the goal of rapidly expanding the single QR-based digital payment system has been set.
Bangladesh Bank said that each institution will have to adopt a specific action plan for increasing new customer registrations on the mobile app and onboarding new merchants on the Bangla QR channel by July 31, 2026.
It has been instructed to submit that plan to the Payment Systems Department of Bangladesh Bank by June 3.
The central bank has taken another new step to further expand digital payment activities at the field level.
From now on, an officer will be appointed or given the responsibility as a 'Bangla QR Branding Officer' in each bank branch. He will work to promote the use of Bangla QR in the relevant area, connect merchants and increase customer awareness.
At the same time, the central bank said that as per the instructions issued earlier, the deadline for ensuring a single QR code at all merchant points by June 30 will remain in effect. In addition, other instructions in the previous circulars will also be effective.
