Digital transactions through Bangla QR are rising rapidly across Bangladesh following the introduction of the “One Country, One QR” system. According to Bangladesh Bank data, transactions through Bangla QR currently average around Tk 1.2 billion a day, taking the weekly total beyond Tk 7 billion.

The use of Bangla QR has increased significantly in both transaction volume and value. At the beginning of July, an average of around 178,000 transactions were recorded daily. By mid-August, the figure had climbed to approximately 303,000. During the same period, the daily transaction value nearly tripled.

Bangladesh Bank decided to introduce the mandatory “One Country, One QR” system nationwide from July 1 this year. Bangla QR services were subsequently rolled out across the country.

Following the central bank’s decision, various banks and mobile financial service (MFS) providers joined the Bangla QR network instead of using their own separate QR codes. This has enabled businesses ranging from shopping malls and large retailers to small shops and roadside vendors to accept payments through a single standardized QR code.

According to Bangladesh Bank, Bangla QR recorded an average of around 178,000 transactions a day at the beginning of July, with a combined value of approximately Tk 373.3 million.

By mid-August, the average number of daily transactions had risen to around 303,000, while the average daily transaction value increased to approximately Tk 1.1038 billion.

The number of merchants using Bangla QR has also grown rapidly. The number of businesses using the system increased from around 1.6 million as of July 21 to more than 3 million.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson and Executive Director Arif Hossain Khan told BSS that Bangla QR transactions currently average around Tk 1.2 billion a day, with the weekly volume exceeding Tk 7 billion.

“We want this momentum in transactions to continue,” he said.

Bangladesh Bank is also focusing on addressing concerns among small businesses to encourage wider adoption of Bangla QR. Arif Hossain Khan said some merchants had reservations about the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).

He explained that if a small business sells a product for Tk 100 but receives Tk 99 after the applicable charge, it is natural for the merchant to question why they should accept one taka less. However, he noted that increased digital and cashless transactions could also boost overall sales.

According to him, easier cashless payments may encourage customers to make more purchases. Bangladesh Bank is also considering providing subsidies for merchants. He said transaction growth has accelerated following announcements regarding the initiative.

The introduction of a single QR code that allows customers to make payments from accounts held with different banks and MFS providers has also reduced difficulties for consumers.

Tuhin Islam, a resident of Azimpur who was shopping at New Market in the capital, told BSS that customers previously had to check which QR service a particular shop accepted when paying through cash, bKash or Rocket.

“I do not use bKash. As a result, I often faced difficulties making payments at many shops because they had no QR option other than bKash,” he said.

He said customers can now scan a single QR code and pay directly from any of their accounts.

“As a result, I have been freed from a major hassle,” Tuhin Islam said.

Mahin Hossain, who had come to Dhaka to purchase wholesale clothing, said travelling from rural areas to the capital to buy goods often required carrying large amounts of cash, which was risky.

“Now I can simply scan a QR code and make the payment online. As a result, I no longer have to carry a large amount of cash with me,” he said.

Making digital payments easier, reducing the risks associated with carrying cash and simplifying payment procedures for both merchants and customers are among the key objectives of the Bangla QR system.

The recent surge in transactions indicates that the unified QR payment system is gradually becoming an important part of everyday buying and selling across Bangladesh.