Govt working to turn BD into tech-driven nation: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the government is working to transform Bangladesh into a modern, technology-driven country, reports BSS.

He said the government aims to expand digital transactions and gradually move towards a cashless economy.

He further said modernising the country's payment system is a key part of this transformation.

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

The programme, organised with the support of Bangladesh Bank, aimed at encouraging the use of the 'Bangla QR' code to expand the digital transaction system.

The information minister said many countries around the world are far ahead of Bangladesh in technology-based transactions. "However, due to policy delays or failures of previous governments, neither the state nor the people could be fully connected to this modern technology," he said.

He said the government had ended years of inaction by launching the 'Bangla QR' code today (Saturday), marking the beginning of the country's transition to cashless transactions.

Recalling his experience, he said, "I had always bought books here using cash. But today, for the first time in my life as a customer, I purchased books by scanning the 'Bangla QR' code." He described the experience as a significant step towards the country's transition to digital payments.

He said, "People do not realise how easy and convenient transactions can be until they use the technology. We should maximise the use of technology in every sector," urging people to use the Bangla QR code for purchases.

He also called on all banks involved in the initiative, including Dutch-Bangla Bank's 'Rocket' mobile banking service, as well as the general public, to move away from cash transactions and adopt technology-based payments through the 'Bangla QR' system.

Senior officials of Bangladesh Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank were present at the programme.