Visa Asia‑Pacific President Stephen Karpin has expressed the company’s interest in investing and expanding business in Bangladesh, citing vast potential in digital financial services, technology and innovation.
He said this during a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat.
Karpin said Visa aims to encourage bank account holders who do not yet use cards to adopt them, and to expand digital transactions through investment and technical cooperation.
He added that Visa is keen to use artificial intelligence (AI) to make Bangladesh’s banking and digital payment systems more secure, simple and faster.
The meeting also discussed expanding Visa card usage in public service systems such as metro rail, toll plazas and expressways to ease everyday transactions.
Discussions further covered building effective digital payment systems to help freelancers bring foreign income home safely and easily.
Karpin said Visa is also interested in contributing to the growth of Bangladesh’s digital economy and creative economy.
Visa representatives were invited to establish a technology development centre or global service centre in Bangladesh to create employment opportunities.
Prime Minister Tarique welcomed private sector partnership in expanding digital financial services and technology, stressing the importance of cooperation from international institutions like Visa to strengthen Bangladesh’s digital economy, investment and technological capacity.
Prime Minister’s adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, ICT and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostakur Rahman, and senior Visa officials were present.
