Grameenphone launches Bangla QR payments at its stores, a first among telecom operators

Grameenphone has launched Bangla QR payments at its branded retail stores in partnership with Mutual Trust Bank (MTB), becoming the first telecom operator in Bangladesh to do so, according to a report by Banglanews24.com.

The service was inaugurated on Wednesday (4 November) at the Grameenphone Experience Centre in Gulshan, Dhaka. Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman was the chief guest, joined by Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman and MTB Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman.

How it works

Customers can scan the Bangla QR code at Experience Centres with any bank, mobile financial service or payment service provider app and pay directly from their account. Because Bangla QR is the national interoperable standard, a single merchant code accepts payments from all participating apps. The move builds on Bangladesh Bank’s “One Country, One QR” initiative.

The service is initially available at Experience Centres in Gulshan and Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka and GEC Circle in Chattogram.

What they said

Dr. Habibur Rahman said connectivity and technological innovation are key drivers of economic growth and financial inclusion, and expressed hope that other industry players would join similar initiatives to advance a cashless economy.

Yasir Azman said customers can now pay by scanning with their phone without worrying about cash or change, helping make digital payments an everyday habit. MTB’s Syed Mahbubur Rahman said combining the bank’s payments expertise with Grameenphone’s retail reach would bring scan-to-pay to more people.

According to the report, the initiative supports Bangladesh Bank’s target of 10 million digital transactions a day.