Grameenphone, the country’s leading telecommunications service provider, has become the first telecom operator in Bangladesh to introduce Bangla QR payments at its branded retail stores in partnership with Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB), offering customers a simpler and more convenient digital payment option.
Customers can scan the Bangla QR code displayed at Grameenphone Experience Centres using a compatible app from a participating bank, mobile financial service provider or payment service provider and authorise payments directly from their accounts, reads a press release.
The shared national QR standard allows payments across participating institutions through a single merchant code, reducing reliance on cash and giving customers greater choice in payment methods.
The initiative builds on Bangladesh Bank’s efforts to promote interoperable digital payments through Bangla QR under its vision of “One Country, One QR”.
The service will initially be available at Grameenphone Experience Centres in Gulshan, Bashundhara Residential Area and Chattogram’s GEC Mor.
Grameenphone launched the service at its Gulshan Experience Centre on Wednesday, with Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Md Habibur Rahman attending as the chief guest.
Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and chief executive officer of Mutual Trust Bank PLC, and Yasir Azman, chief executive officer of Grameenphone, were also present.
Other Grameenphone officials attending the event included Farha Naz Zaman, chief marketing officer; Otto Magne Risbakk, chief financial officer; and Tanveer Mohammad, chief corporate affairs officer.
Representing Mutual Trust Bank were Chowdhury Akhtar Asif, additional managing director and chief business officer; Shafquat Hossain, deputy managing director and head of retail; and Khalid Hossin, chief digital officer. Other senior officials from the organisations were also present.
Md Habibur Rahman said connectivity and technological innovation were key enablers of economic growth and financial inclusion.
“I appreciate Grameenphone’s participation in building a more integrated and efficient digital payment ecosystem in the country and am pleased to be here for this initiative. I look forward to other industry ecosystem players joining this effort to make financial services more accessible, encourage digital payment adoption among young people and advance an inclusive, increasingly cashless economy,” he said.
Yasir Azman said customer-centricity drove Grameenphone to make everyday experiences simpler and more convenient.
“At Grameenphone, customer-centricity drives us to make everyday experiences simpler and more convenient. We believe collaboration accelerates the innovation needed to deliver on that commitment, and our partnership with MTB brings this to life through Bangla QR. Customers can now simply scan and pay from their phones, without the hassle of cash or waiting for change — making digital payments a practical everyday choice to help broaden financial inclusion and enable more people to participate in Bangladesh’s digital economy. Through such efforts, we aim to support the country’s trillion-dollar economy vision while building a safer, smarter tomorrow for our customers,” he said.
Syed Mahbubur Rahman said the partnership would bring the convenience of scan-to-pay services to more customers.
“We are excited to partner with Grameenphone to bring the simplicity of scan-to-pay to more customers. Combining our payment expertise with Grameenphone’s retail reach, we are making everyday transactions more convenient and supporting wider adoption of digital payments across Bangladesh,” he said.
With Bangladesh Bank targeting one crore transactions a day, Grameenphone’s adoption of Bangla QR brings the national ambition into everyday customer interactions.
Through its extensive customer reach, Grameenphone aims to encourage wider adoption of digital payments and strengthen the foundations of an inclusive digital economy.
