Courier service firms in race to introduce online transfer of cash

Md Mazadul Hoque Courier service operators have started automating their operations to ensure faster delivery of cash to the customers as they seek to reduce reliance on mobile phones, industry people said. Though domestic courier services are now delivering cash through cellphones, they are being equipped to go for automation across the country. State-run Postal Department's Electronic Money Transfer System (EMTS) has gained momentum, but many areas are still uncovered, forcing clients to receive services from courier service operators. Sundarban Courier Service, one of oldest in the country, has pioneered sending cash using online software. Hafizur Rahman Pulok, vice-chairman of Sundarban, told the FE that they initially transferred cash through mobile phone sets or documents, but they have started online transfer after demand from customers. "We are the first in the country among domestic courier services to embrace latest technology to send cash in a safe and secure way," Mr Pulok said. As online-based banking is yet to spread around the country, the number of customers is becoming dependent on this service, he said. If any customer sends cash, the office informs a recipient through SMS to withdraw money from respective outlets and nocourier services in the country has put in place this kind of service, he said. The Sundarban official said his company handles around Tk 1.0 million a day sent by roughly 5,000 customers. As the people are now fond of seeking faster and secure transfer of cash from one place to another, the number of clients is significantly increasing day by day, Mr Pulok said. Continental Courier Service, another major operator, has started the process to go online. "We are now sending cash using paper document, which delays delivery to the customers. We will introduce online service very soon," a high official of company said. SA Paribahan, a leader of sending cash and documents using mobile phone sets and documents, it is considering now to use online software. A company manager told the FE that conversation is going on in full swing to introduce online software alongside the manual system. Jessore-based Janani Courier Service is also taking preparation to introduce electronic transfer of cash. Makbul, a manager at the company's Paltan office, said though Janani has not yet started sending cash, but it would launch online facilities for sending cash. A high official of North-Bengal-based Korotoa Courier Service is now planning to transfer cash from one outlet to another electronically. General secretary of Bangladesh Courier Services Association, Abdur Razzaque Raju, told the FE all domestic courier services should introduce online process as part of digitisation. "We are trying best from the association to make sure that the people get faster, reliable and secure services," Mr Raju said.