The government of Bangladesh has established a special committee through a gazette notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on 2 March to assess the requirements for introducing PayPal in the country.
Headed by Rehan Asif Asad, an advisor to the ministry of posts, telecommunications, and information technology, the committee comprises key members including the chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, the governor of Bangladesh Bank, the secretary of the finance division, the chairman of the National Board of Revenue, and the secretary of the information and communication technology division who will act as the member secretary.
Among its key duties outlined in the notification is the facilitation of the initiation of PayPal services in Bangladesh. PayPal, a renowned global online payment platform widely utilized for cross-border transactions, especially by freelancers, is the focal point of the committee’s efforts.
Moreover, the committee has been assigned tasks to enhance the administration of high-tech and software parks as well as ICT centers throughout the nation. It will also focus on formulating policies to offer cost-effective workspaces for freelancers and technology experts.
Additionally, the committee is mandated to promote ICT training initiatives to cultivate a proficient workforce for the technology industry. The notification also mentions the committee’s ability to include more members as required.
Over the years, freelancers and tech entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have advocated for access to international payment services like PayPal, asserting that such access would streamline global transactions and establish stronger links between the country’s expanding digital workforce and the global market.
