Global tech giant Google has officially launched its digital payment service, Google Pay, in Bangladesh through its Google Wallet platform.
The service has been introduced in partnership with City Bank PLC, Mastercard, and Visa, enabling faster, safer, and contactless payment solutions for Bangladeshi users.
The announcement was made at a formal launch event held at The Westin Hotel in Dhaka, attended by Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur as the chief guest.
U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Tracy N. Jacobson and City Bank’s Vice Chairman Hossain Khaled were present as special guests.
Key officials from Google Payments, Mastercard, Visa, and other major financial institutions also attended the event. Among them were Masrur Arefin, Managing Director and CEO of City Bank; Shammi Quddus, Group Product Manager at Google Payments; Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager of Mastercard Bangladesh; and Sabbir Ahmed, Country Manager of Visa Bangladesh.
From now on, City Bank customers can link their Mastercard or Visa cards to Google Wallet and make seamless payments using Google Pay at any NFC (Near Field Communication)-enabled POS terminals both in Bangladesh and abroad.
The service offers cutting-edge encryption technology, ensuring maximum security for customer data. With Google Pay, smartphones effectively become digital wallets, eliminating the need to carry physical plastic cards. The payment method can also be used for air travel, shopping, and entertainment, all processed via mobile devices.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur emphasized the importance of digital transactions in building a transparent and cashless economy.
He stated, "We are committed to supporting financial digitization. Digital transactions ensure transparency and promote financial inclusion in our society."
Masrur Arefin, Managing Director of City Bank, remarked, "Bangladesh is now on the list of countries that truly support digital financial transactions. It is time to move from physical wallets to Google Pay, which allows seamless transactions not just within the country but across the globe."
He further noted that Bangladesh`s remittance and export earnings are growing, and several initiatives, including the planned merger of five banks, are underway to further strengthen the country`s financial sector.
The launch aligns with Google`s broader strategy to expand its digital payment footprint across South Asia, following successful rollouts in India and Singapore.
According to The Economic Times and Reuters, Google Pay is rapidly becoming one of the leading digital payment platforms in the region, offering a robust alternative to local mobile wallets and traditional banking apps.
Industry experts believe the introduction of Google Pay in Bangladesh will significantly accelerate the country’s journey towards financial inclusion and cashless transactions, aligning with the global digital economy.
