Bangladesh needs PayPal now

The recent decision by Bangladesh Bank to allow local entrepreneurs to sell their products on global platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba through the B2B2C model marks a transformative moment for the country's digital economy. This policy shift has opened valuable opportunities for small businesses to access foreign markets. Yet one crucial element remains missing: the availability of PayPal services in Bangladesh.
For years, freelancers, online entrepreneurs and digital service providers have voiced the urgent need for PayPal, one of the world's most trusted and widely used online payment gateways. Despite Bangladesh's strong global presence in freelancing and online outsourcing, workers continue to struggle to receive payments smoothly. Many are forced to rely on costly intermediaries, losing a significant share of their income. Bangladesh could experience a substantial rise in remittance inflow if PayPal were officially introduced, as individuals would no longer depend on expensive third-party channels.
The demand for PayPal reflects Bangladesh's ambition to remain competitive in the global digital marketplace. With SMEs now gaining direct access to Amazon and Alibaba, integrating PayPal could significantly accelerate cross-border transactions, empower entrepreneurs, and strengthen foreign currency reserves. The platform would also support the expanding e-commerce industry, enabling local businesses to sell goods and services internationally with greater ease and trust.
The economic and social benefits of PayPal's entry are clear. It would improve payment flows for freelancers, reduce income loss to intermediaries, expand opportunities for online sellers, and elevate Bangladesh's position in the global digital economy. As the country's digital ecosystem advances faster than ever, the absence of PayPal is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.
Now that Bangladesh embraces new pathways for online exports, introducing PayPal is not just desirable, it is also imperative for sustaining long-term digital growth.

Maisha Binte Shamsuddin
Department of Finance and Accounting
North South University