Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the government has initiated effective measures to bring the international payment gateway, PayPal, to Bangladesh.
During a question-and-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad on April 15, the Prime Minister revealed that a specialized committee has already been formed to oversee the launch of PayPal services and to ensure the efficient management of Hi-Tech Parks and ICT centers across the country.
“A committee has been formed to ensure the effective operation of Hi-Tech Parks and ICT centers, as well as to facilitate the commencement of PayPal’s operations in Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister stated.
A Long-Awaited Milestone for Freelancers
The move marks a significant step forward for the country’s burgeoning digital economy. While PayPal has expressed interest in entering the Bangladeshi market on several occasions in the past—most recently during the tenure of the interim government—concrete progress is now visible.
In December last year, the then-Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H Mansur, had indicated that the global payment giant would eventually start operations in the country. He emphasized that the primary goal of this initiative is to ensure seamless financial transactions for:
- Freelancers seeking easier ways to receive international payments.
- E-commerce entrepreneurs looking to expand their global reach.
- IT service providers requiring reliable cross-border transaction methods.
Recent Progress
The announcement follows a series of high-level engagements, including meetings between PayPal’s South Asia team (based in Singapore) and representatives from Bangladesh’s ICT Division and the freelancer community.
Industry experts believe that the official entry of PayPal will remove a major bottleneck for the country’s multi-million dollar freelancing sector, potentially boosting remittance inflows and fostering a more robust digital ecosystem.
