Grameenphone Launches Bangla QR as the First Operator in

Bangladesh for Easier Customer Payments

Dhaka : 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), giving customers a simpler, more convenient way to pay digitally. Customers can scan the Bangla QR code displayed at Grameenphone Experience Centers using a compatible app from a participating bank, mobile financial service provider or payment service provider, and authorize payment directly from their account. The shared national QR standard enables payments across participating institutions through a single merchant code, reducing reliance on cash and giving customers greater choice in how they pay. The initiative builds on Bangladesh Bank’s efforts to advance interoperable digital payments through Bangla QR under the vision of “One Country, One QR.”

The service will initially be available at Grameenphone Experience Centres in Gulshan, Bashundhara Residential Area, and Chattogram GEC Mor. Grameenphone launched the service at its Gulshan Experience Centre today, with Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, attending as the chief guest. Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB), and Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grameenphone, were also present.

Other Grameenphone officials present at the event included Farha Naz Zaman, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO); Otto Magne Risbakk, Chief Financial Officer (CFO); and Tanveer Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer (CCAO). Representing Mutual Trust Bank PLC were Chowdhury Akhtar Asif, Additional Managing Director and Chief Business Officer (CBO); Shafquat Hossain, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Retail; and Khalid Hossin, Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Other senior officials from all organizations were also present.

Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor, Bangladesh Bank, said, “Connectivity and technological innovation are 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.”

Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone, said, “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.”

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Mutual Trust Bank PLC Managing Director and CEO, said, “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.”

With Bangladesh Bank targeting one crore transactions a day, Grameenphone’s adoption brings this 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.
-Press Release