The government's annual subsidy bill for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is expected to fall by 300 to 350 crore taka as the agency modernises and digitises its operations, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Thursday.

He said the government aims to bring TCB's subsidy burden down to zero within the next five years.

The minister made the remarks while inaugurating the “Digital Transformation of TCB” programme at TCB Bhaban in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, on Thursday morning.

“TCB is an extremely important institution for the people of the country,” he said, adding that the new digital platform would make it easier for beneficiaries to collect their allocated products.

The digital system will make TCB's operations more modern, transparent, efficient and people-friendly while strengthening accountability in product distribution and management, he said.

Under the new system, nearly 80 lakh TCB cardholders will be able to purchase products through a mobile app without carrying a physical card or cash. Dealers will also be able to receive goods and settle payments online, according to the minister.

Muktadir expressed hope that the digital transformation would improve transparency and efficiency in TCB's operations while gradually reducing the government's subsidy burden.

As part of the initiative, TCB has integrated its card-based service with the “Upokari” mobile app, creating an additional secure digital channel alongside the existing TCB card system. The platform will allow beneficiaries' identities and product entitlements to be verified before purchases are made.

Officials said the system uses the Upokari platform's Digital Identity, Citizen Wallet and Secure Data Exchange Platform capabilities. TCB's existing system has been connected to the Upokari Data Exchange Platform through a secure API.

Once TCB's monthly sales cycle begins, digitally signed and encrypted QR-code-based invoices, notices and other necessary information will automatically be sent to beneficiaries through the Upokari app. Purchases and sales will be completed after verification of the QR code on the digital invoice, officials said.

They said the model could gradually be extended to other approved government and private-sector services if it proves successful.

Several other digital services were also launched at the event, including a digital dealer management system, an online payment collection system, an AI-based real-time monitoring system, an all-in-one point-of-sale system and an AI-based contact centre.