Visa's Asia-Pacific President meets PM

Stephen Karpin, President of Visa's Asia-Pacific region, has paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting was held at the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat on Tuesday, August 11.

During the meeting, Karpin expressed Visa's interest in expanding investment and business operations in Bangladesh, saying that the country holds significant potential in digital financial services, technology and innovation. He said the company is keen to encourage more card usage among bank account holders and to provide investment and technical support to expand digital transactions in Bangladesh. Karpin also expressed interest in using AI technology to make Bangladesh's banking and digital payment systems safer, faster and more user-friendly. The possibility of increasing Visa card usage in public services such as metro rail, toll plazas and expressways was also discussed.

Visa also wants to contribute to the development of Bangladesh's digital and creative economy. The meeting emphasised establishing an effective digital payment system to facilitate the safe and easy repatriation of foreign earnings by Bangladeshi freelancers. A proposal was also made to set up a Visa technology development centre or global service centre in Bangladesh to create employment opportunities.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman welcomed private sector participation in the country's digital financial services and technology sector, and stressed the importance of international partnerships to boost the digital economy, investment and technological capacity.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister's Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology, Rehan Asif Asad, BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, along with senior officials from Visa.