A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between the Sonali Bank Limited and the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCI&E) to launch e-payment services to further ease trade and commerce alongside reducing sufferings of clients, reports BSS.
With this initiative, the clients will get relieved from the hassles of traditional manual payment and thus their cost and time will be saved as they would be able to make their payments staying at home.
Chief Controller of CCI&E Soleman Khan and Chief Financial Officer of Sonali Bank Limited Shubhash Chandra Das signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi inaugurated the e-payment services today in this regard at the Commerce Ministry conference room. The MoU is titled “Sonali Payment Gateway.”
Speaking on the occasion, Tipu said the CCI&E launched its digital operations from last June while its golden chapter was formally opened today.
“We want that people will enjoy all kinds of facilities staying at home. The positive side despite the Coronavirus pandemic is that we’ve been able to launch our digital operations in a better way,” he added.
The Commerce Minister said various kinds of activities are underway to make the year 2021 memorable marking the centenary birth celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of country’s independence.
Noting that the government faced many problems due to the COVID-19, he said despite these, there was marked improvement in one aspect which is digital platform as this COVID-19 period has created a unique scope like none could have earlier imagined that they would be able to purchase onion from home. “It’s a good sign.”
Commerce Secretary Md Jafar Uddin said Bangladesh would become a developing country by 2024 for which the ease of doing business index is very much important.
He also hoped that the online banking operations would further ease the operations of the businessmen.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Sonali Bank Limited Ataur Rahman Prodhan said realization of fees or charges started today through the Sonali Payment Gateway following the signing of the MoU between the bank and CCI&E.
Ataur said with the launching of the e-payment, the clients will be relieved from the hassles of manual payments, which will eventually save their time and cost.
“On the other hand, the CCI&E officials will be able to know the e-invoice information in real time for which it will be possible to start processing for giving approval the import and export related services upon application. As a result, the position of Bangladesh will be further strengthened in the ease of doing business index.” He added.
The programme was informed that through the e-payment system, the clients will be able to make online payments through using cash on counter (bank branch), online account transfer, mobile financial services (bkash, Rocket, Nagad, Ucash), debit and credit cards (visa, master, amex, nexus).
