Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday underscored the need for rapid digitalisation of Bangladesh’s financial services, saying innovation and technology are essential for improving service delivery, ensuring transparency and reducing costs.
“Bangladesh must accelerate its digital transformation so that citizens can access public and financial services without visiting offices,” he said while addressing “Innovation Showcasing 2025-26” programme organised by the Financial Institutions Division at the Multipurpose Hall of the Finance Division.
He said the government’s objective is to bring all sections of society, including businesses, professionals, farmers, workers and ordinary citizens, under digital services, making technology an inclusive platform for economic and social participation.
“There is no alternative to technology and digitalisation if we want to move the country forward,” he said, adding that digital services would help improve transparency, cut costs and save people’s valuable time.
The minister said the government has placed emphasis on digital skills and technology in the national budget to ensure that people from all professions can benefit from the digital economy.
Referring to the government’s efforts to strengthen digital governance, he said a high-level team is currently visiting Estonia to study its globally recognised digital governance model.
He said Bangladesh has already made progress in digital financial services but stressed that much more needs to be done, particularly in expanding public access and usage.
The minister urged banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions to increase the adoption of online services by encouraging customers to use digital platforms instead of visiting branches.
He suggested assigning dedicated staff at branches to guide customers in accessing digital services and explain how routine transactions can be completed from home.
“If customers continue to visit offices for services that are already available online, we have failed to communicate the benefits of digitalisation,” he said.
The minister also called for wider public awareness campaigns, including direct communication with customers, so they understand the convenience of digital financial services.
He said expanding digital access would significantly reduce travel costs, traffic congestion and time spent obtaining services, while boosting national productivity.
“Our goal is to ensure that people do not have to visit government offices, banks or insurance companies for services that can be delivered digitally,” he said.
The minister also stressed the need for full implementation of digital initiatives across all financial institutions, including the capital market and insurance sector, saying innovation would deliver meaningful results only if digital services reached people effectively.
Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division Nazma Mobarek presided over the event while Farida Yasmin, Joint Secretary and Chief Innovation Officer of the Financial Institutions Division gave the welcome address.
Financial Institutions Division (FID) Secretary Nazma Mobarek said that the effective use of technology and small-scale innovations is making public services simpler, faster and more accessible while strengthening transparency and preventing corruption.
She said digital innovations are also contributing to improved governance by ensuring transparency, increasing tax compliance and helping prevent corruption, including financial irregularities and money laundering.
During the programme, five offices and agencies were honoured with awards in five categories in recognition of their outstanding innovative initiatives.
Under the supervision of the Financial Institutions Division, a total of 329 public services have been digitalised by its 25 offices and agencies to date.