Visa President for Asia-Pacific Stephen Karpin today expressed the global financial technology company’s interest in expanding its investment and business operations in Bangladesh.
He made the remarks during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat this morning.
Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin said Karpin told the Prime Minister that Bangladesh has significant potential for Visa to expand its activities in digital financial services, technology and innovation.
He said Visa wants to invest and provide technological support to encourage bank account holders who do not yet use cards to adopt card-based transactions and expand digital payments across the country.
Karpin also expressed interest in using artificial intelligence (AI) to make Bangladesh’s banking and digital payment systems more secure, convenient and efficient.
The meeting discussed expanding the use of Visa cards in government and public services, including metro rail, toll plazas and expressways, to make everyday transactions easier.
Visa also expressed interest in contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s digital and creative economies.
The two sides discussed developing an effective digital payment system to enable Bangladeshi freelancers to bring their overseas earnings into the country securely and conveniently.
Karpin was also invited to establish a technology development centre or global service centre in Bangladesh, which could create employment opportunities.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman welcomed private-sector partnerships to expand digital financial services and technology in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of international companies such as Visa in strengthening the country’s digital economy, investment and technological capabilities.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and senior Visa officials were present at the meeting.
