Banglalink has launched "Mukto Pay", a digital payment platform aimed at making everyday financial transactions faster and more accessible to customers across Bangladesh.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the platform is open to users of all mobile networks and allows them to transfer money, pay utility bills, recharge mobile numbers and make online payments through smartphones or basic mobile phones.

The launch is part of Banglalink's parent company VEON's broader commitment to Bangladesh's digital economy, which includes an announced initial anchor investment of $250 million in the country.

Mukto Pay is designed to serve both smartphone and basic mobile phone users. Banglalink customers without smartphones or internet access can use the service by dialling *525#, while customers of any mobile operator can download the app from Google Play or the iOS App Store and register using their National Identity Card (NID) and mobile number.

As part of its introductory offer, the platform is waiving charges on wallet-to-wallet transfers and utility bill payments for the first three months. Customers will also receive promotional bonuses on their first three Banglalink mobile recharges.

The platform also offers a dedicated merchant application that allows businesses to register, receive payments and monitor transactions through a centralised dashboard. Banglalink plans to introduce Bangla QR, the national interoperable payment standard, to expand digital payment acceptance among merchants across the country.

"With Mukto Pay, Banglalink is extending its reach beyond connectivity into everyday financial transactions," said Johan Buse, chief executive officer of Banglalink.

He said making digital payments more accessible to underserved communities and small merchants would encourage their participation in the digital economy and create a foundation for expanding financial services nationwide.

Highlighting the platform's vision, Dmitry Kashtanov, chief fintech officer at Banglalink, said, "Mukto means freedom, and that is the idea behind everything we are building. We are extending our relationship to how customers manage their money, making everyday transactions fast, simple, and reliable."

KM Zakaria, chief executive officer of Mukto Pay, said the platform had been designed to provide a simple and reliable experience regardless of customers' mobile operators.