Bangla QR code to become mandatory for all businesses establishments from July

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostaqur Rahman has announced that the use of Bangla QR codes for digital transactions will become mandatory for all business establishments across the country from July.

The announcement came on Tuesday (May 12) during the launch event of the ‘Bangladesh Startup Investment Company’ fund at a hotel in the capital.

The governor said the initiative aims to make digital transactions more seamless, secure and financially inclusive. Alongside the move, a new venture capital platform titled ‘Bangladesh Startup Investment Company’ has also been introduced to support startups and entrepreneurs.

According to officials, the fund has been formed with a capital of Tk 425 crore through the participation of 39 commercial banks. The amount was collected from 1 per cent of the banks’ profits. The fund will provide investment support to technology-based and productive-sector entrepreneurs at seed, late-seed and Series-A stages.

BSIC Chairman Mashrur Arefin said the venture capital facility would not be limited to tech startups only, as small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) will also be brought under its coverage.

The Bangladesh Bank governor further announced an additional Tk 500 crore refinancing support for the venture capital sector.

Bangla QR is a universal and interoperable digital payment system approved by Bangladesh Bank. Through a single QR code, customers will be able to make payments using any banking app or mobile financial service (MFS).

Services including bKash, Nagad and Rocket will all support transactions through the same QR code.

Bangladesh Bank said the unified QR system can be used everywhere — from small retail shops to large shopping malls — enabling users of different banks and MFS platforms to make digital payments more easily.

Under the system, merchants will only need a single QR code. Once customers scan and complete payment, notifications will be generated automatically and daily transaction records will be preserved digitally.

Officials said anyone with a savings, current or SND account in any bank will be eligible to obtain a Bangla QR code, provided they have a business entity and a bank account in their own name.

Applicants will need to submit a prescribed form to their respective banks. Following verification, the QR code will be issued within three to four days, with confirmation sent via SMS or email.

Bangladesh Bank also stated that businesses with monthly transactions of up to Tk 10 lakh will need to submit a photocopy of their national ID card and passport-sized photographs. For transactions exceeding Tk 10 lakh per month, additional documents including TIN certificate and tax return slip will be required.