Bangla QR payments are quickly becoming more common across the country, with transactions reaching nearly Tk 1,500 crore since the interoperable system became mandatory on July 1.
Around 56 lakh transactions have been made through Bangla QR during the period, according to a senior Bangladesh Bank official.
The latest figures show that about 17 lakh transactions worth nearly Tk 487 crore were completed between August 2 and 8 alone. That means roughly 2.4 lakh Bangla QR payments were made every day during the week, with the average transaction standing at about Tk 2,865.
Bangla QR allows customers to pay by scanning one QR code using participating bank and mobile financial service (MFS) apps. Merchants no longer need to keep separate QR codes for different payment providers.
Bangladesh Bank has been pushing the system as part of its effort to reduce the country`s dependence on cash and make everyday payments easier.
BB Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman has also called for wider use of Bangla QR. During his visit to Chattogram on August 7 and 8, he took part in a campaign to promote the payment system and urged both businesses and customers to use digital payments more.
He said Bangladesh Bank wants to build a payment system that is safe, simple, affordable and accessible to people across the country.
At a Bangla QR workshop in Chattogram, the governor said greater use of digital payments could also help reduce extortion, lower the risk of counterfeit notes and make financial transactions more transparent.
He added that a shift away from cash could reduce the cost of handling physical money and help bring technology-based financial services to people in rural and less-served areas.
Businesses say the system is already making daily transactions easier.
Md Mamun Islam, manager of SUPER Buy in Feni town, said more customers are choosing QR payments because they are quick and reduce the need to handle cash.
“When customers pay through QR, it saves time and there is no need to worry about giving change,” he said.
Md Sujon, who runs a grocery shop in Motijheel, said QR payments are especially useful when his shop is busy.
“Customers can scan the code and we get the payment confirmation quickly. We do not have to count and keep large amounts of cash,” he said.
However, small businesses still have concerns about transaction fees and internet connectivity, especially because many operate with limited profit margins.
Consumers are also finding QR payments useful for routine purchases. Md Rasheduzzaman, a businessman in Feni, said he no longer needs to carry cash for every payment.
Md Sumon, a private-sector employee, said the ability to use different participating bank and MFS apps through the same QR code has made payments more convenient.
The rising number of transactions since the nationwide rollout suggests that Bangla QR is gaining wider acceptance among both customers and businesses, strengthening Bangladesh`s move towards a less-cash digital payment system.
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