PM invites Visa to set up technology, service centre

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday invited Visa to establish a technology development centre or global service centre in Bangladesh, highlighting the potential for such an investment to create employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s digital economy, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin. 

Visa Asia-Pacific President Stephen Karpin paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The PM also stressed the importance of cooperation from international companies such as Visa in strengthening Bangladesh’s digital economy, investment and technological capacity.

Karpin expressed Visa’s interest in investing in and expanding its business operations in Bangladesh, saying there is significant potential for cooperation in digital financial services, technology and innovation.

He said Visa wants to use investment and technological cooperation to encourage bank account holders who do not currently use cards to adopt card-based payments and expand digital transactions.

“Visa is also interested in using artificial intelligence to make Bangladesh’s banking and digital payment systems safer, easier and faster,” Karpin said.

The two sides also discussed developing an effective digital payment system to enable Bangladeshi freelancers to bring their foreign earnings into the country safely and conveniently.

They discussed expanding the use of Visa cards for public and government services, including metro rail, toll plazas and expressways, to make everyday transactions more convenient.

Karpin also expressed Visa’s interest in contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s digital and creative economy.

PM’s Adviser on Post, Telecommunications, ICT, Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and senior Visa officials were present at the meeting.