BRAC Bank acts as the lead bank

Bangladesh Bank, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), organised an awareness workshop on Bangla QR in Rajshahi, as part of the national journey toward a Cashless Bangladesh, a press release said.

The session aimed to accelerate the implementation of the national Bangla QR standard and promote interoperable digital payments across the country. BRAC Bank served as the Lead Bank and successfully organised the event, as guided by Bangladesh Bank.

Held at the Training Center of the Bangladesh Bank Rajshahi Office on 20 August 2026, the workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. Attendees included senior officials from Bangladesh Bank, and Bangla QR merchants. Together, they discussed strategies to expand a secure, seamless, and inclusive digital payment ecosystem.

Muhammad Badiuzzaman Didar, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, Rajshahi Office, attended the workshop as the Chief Guest. Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking, was the Special Guest. Md. Nazim Uddin, Director, Bangladesh Bank, Rajshahi Office; Md. Perwez Anzam Moonir, Additional Director, Bangladesh Bank; Mohammad Main Uddin, Additional Director, Bangladesh Bank; Juwel Majumder, Joint Director, Bangladesh Bank; and Khairuddin Ahmed, Head of Merchant Acquiring, BRAC Bank, were also present. A.N.M. Moinul Kabir, Director, Payment Systems Department-1, Bangladesh Bank, chaired the session.

Speaking at the event, Bangladesh Bank officials emphasised that the national Bangla QR standard enables seamless, interoperable payments for both customers and merchants, serving as a critical pillar for a cashless economy. Speakers urged local businesses to swiftly adopt the technology to reduce cash dependence and drive financial inclusion.

The discussion also highlighted that wider adoption of Bangla QR will reduce dependence on cash, simplify payment acceptance for merchants, enhance transaction transparency, improve business record-keeping, and strengthen financial inclusion, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This hands-on initiative directly encouraged neighbourhood merchants to adopt and actively use digital payment solutions in their daily business.

Participants highly praised Bangladesh Bank’s continuous commitment to expanding the country’s digital payment infrastructure.

Acting as the Lead Bank, BRAC Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh Bank’s vision by expanding Bangla QR acceptance, onboarding more merchants, raising public awareness, and driving higher digital payment usage.