To accelerate Bangladesh Bank’s universal ‘Bangla QR’ payment initiative and strengthen the cashless transaction ecosystem, bKash has conducted a series of view exchange sessions with merchants nationwide. So far, around 1,500 bKash merchants have participated in these sessions organised across 97 zones.

During these sessions, discussions focused on how merchants can accelerate their businesses by adopting digital payments. A payment made through ‘Bangla QR’ goes directly into the merchants’ accounts. As a result, the risk of carrying cash and the hassle of small change are reduced, transaction transparency increases, and business bookkeeping becomes easier. Additionally, this provides the opportunity to assess the creditworthiness of individual merchants through analysing their account transactions. Based on these ratings, micro and small entrepreneurs can access instant, collateral-free digital loans to address working capital shortages. bKash, in partnership with BRAC Bank, has already piloted this short-term digital loan facility, under which a significant number of merchants have started receiving digital nano loans.

Merchants were also briefed on ‘Digital Payment Speakers’ installed at merchant points for faster payment confirmation. Through this system, both customers and merchants receive immediate audio confirmation of the payment amount and transaction success, eliminating the need for manual verification.

The sessions highlighted benefits for consumers as well. While scanning Bangla QR codes for instant payments, bKash customers can access ‘Pay Later’, a collateral-free credit facility that allows instant purchases even with insufficient account balances. Additionally, customers can make payments using Visa cards linked to their bKash app or add money from an extensive network of partner banks.

Meanwhile, to drive the expansion and acceptance of Bangla QR, bKash is building awareness across traditional markets (haat-bazaars) and major commercial centres nationwide by constructing branded archways, installing visible promotional materials, and conducting localised public announcements (miking).

Notably, bKash has already replaced regular QR codes with Bangla QR at more than 800,000 merchants across the country - ranging from grocery stores to pharmacies, restaurants, lifestyle shops, and superstores. The initiative has also significantly boosted merchant payments, generating average daily transactions worth over Tk 2 billion.