NRBC Bank drive focuses on nationwide adoption

As Bangladesh moves steadily toward a smart and digitally inclusive economy, Bangla QR is emerging as a transformative force in the country's payment landscape. In this interview with the Financial Express,

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, Managing Director & CEO of NRBC Bank PLC, shares his insights on the transformative potential of Bangla QR.

Financial Express: How do you assess the potential impact of Bangla QR on Bangladesh's digital payment ecosystem? To what extent can it contribute to building a cashless society?

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, FCMA: Bangla QR is a milestone for Bangladesh's digital payments. It establishes a single interoperable QR infrastructure enabling customers of different banks, MFS providers and PSPs to pay with one unified code. By simplifying and reducing the cost of digital payments, it will cut reliance on cash, remove fragmentation for merchants who no longer must display multiple QR codes, and boost transaction transparency, efficiency and financial inclusion. Over time, Bangla QR will be a central element in realizing Bangladesh Bank's goal of a Smart, largely cashless Bangladesh.

Financial Express: Bangla QR will allow customers to make payments from bank accounts, mobile financial services (MFS), and other payment accounts using a single QR code. How will this interoperability benefit consumers and merchants?

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, FCMA: Interoperability is Bangla QR's core advantage. Consumers gain freedom to pay with any bank app, MFS wallet or payment app at the same merchant, creating a smooth user experience. Merchants benefit by accepting payments from all participating providers with a single QR, cutting operational complexity and costs, improving customer service and expanding sales opportunities. Interoperability also spurs competition among providers, driving better services and innovation while helping keep merchant costs down.

Financial Express: What preparations has your bank taken to implement Bangla QR? What strategies do you have to encourage customers and merchants to adopt this platform?

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, FCMA: NRBC Bank has proactively prepared for nationwide Bangla QR rollout. We have onboarded thousands of merchants and integrated Bangla QR into our digital banking platform, supported by a structured implementation plan across branches, operations and merchant-acquisition teams. To drive adoption we run countrywide merchant onboarding drives, customer awareness and financial-literacy programs, digital marketing and promotions, and cashback/incentive schemes for both customers and merchants. We're also investing in staff training and partnering with government bodies, educational institutions, utilities and SMEs to embed Bangla QR into routine transactions-aiming not just to deploy the system but to foster lasting digital payment habits.

Financial Express: What do you see as the biggest challenges in the successful rollout of Bangla QR? Are they related to technology, cybersecurity, customer awareness, merchant adoption, or regulatory issues?

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, FCMA: The underlying technology and regulatory framework are largely in place, so the main hurdles are awareness, behavioral change and merchant uptake. Many consumers still prefer cash and some merchants lack familiarity with digital payments, so sustained education and awareness efforts are critical. Cybersecurity also remains vital-banks and PSPs must keep strengthening fraud controls, authentication, monitoring and data protection to sustain trust. With coordinated effort from Bangladesh Bank, banks, MFS providers, merchants and government agencies, these challenges can be overcome.

Financial Express: How can Bangla QR support small businesses, SMEs, and rural entrepreneurs? What role do you think it will play in promoting financial inclusion across Bangladesh?

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, FCMA: Bangla QR can greatly empower small merchants and rural entrepreneurs by enabling instant acceptance of digital payments without costly POS equipment or complex setups. Digital payment records help build credit histories, improving access to loans and formal financial services. For rural users-farmers, local retailers, transport operators and home-based businesses-Bangla QR lowers geographic barriers and encourages formal financial participation. Overall, it advances financial inclusion by bringing more people and businesses into the formal digital economy.

Financial Express: Where do you see Bangladesh's digital payment ecosystem in the next five years with the introduction of Bangla QR? Do you believe it can become a key driver of a truly cashless economy?

Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan, FCMA: I am optimistic. In five years, I expect Bangla QR to be a default payment method across retail-from malls and restaurants to neighborhood shops, pharmacies, transport, educational institutions and government services. As interoperability widens and more institutions join, payments will become faster, simpler and more widely accepted. Coupled with rising smartphone use, better connectivity and supportive regulation, Bangla QR can reshape the payments landscape. While a fully cashless society will take time, Bangla QR can serve as the backbone of a much less cash-dependent economy. NRBC Bank is committed to supporting this shift, expanding digital payments and promoting inclusion toward a Smart, Cashless Bangladesh. And I firmly believe, "A truly smart nation is not one where technology replaces people, but one where technology empowers every citizen".