Bangladesh Bank (BB) has renamed the existing “Cashless Bangladesh Unit” at banks and financial institutions as the “Bangla QR Implementation Unit” and issued a set of directives aimed at accelerating digital payment expansion and strengthening the country’s cashless transaction ecosystem.

“All scheduled banks, Mobile Financial Service (MFS) providers, Payment Service Providers (PSP) and Payment System Operators (PSO) have been instructed to immediately rename the existing units at their respective head offices as the ‘Bangla QR Implementation Unit’ to ensure greater focus on expanding Bangla QR-based transactions nationwide,” said a BB circular issued on Saturday.

The central bank said the move is aimed at reducing dependence on cash transactions and strengthening inclusive digital payment infrastructure by accelerating the expansion of the Bangla QR platform across the country.

As part of the fresh directives, banks, MFS providers and PSPs have been instructed to increase customer registration on their mobile applications and ensure that the Bangla QR payment option remains visible on the home page of their apps for easier customer access.

The circular also directed all scheduled banks to bring retail account holders with valid trade licences under the Bangla QR channel in a move aimed at rapidly expanding the merchant payment network.

Besides, all concerned institutions have been asked to submit detailed action plans with specific targets to PSD-1 of Bangladesh Bank by 3 June, outlining strategies for increasing mobile app registrations and onboarding new merchants through 31 July.

The central bank further instructed every scheduled bank to appoint a dedicated official at each branch as a “Bangla QR Branding Officer” to promote the service and facilitate implementation at the field level.