a2i inks MoU with Visa aiming ‘cashless society’

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) and Visa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an effective and innovative financial inclusion and digital eco-system in Bangladesh.

The MoU was inked at a virtual signing ceremony on Tuesday while Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Project Director of a2i, Tohurul Hasan, Programme Manager of a2i, Sandeep Ghosh, Visa’s Group Country Manager India and South Asia; Ram Rakkappan, Head of the Government & Regulatory Engagement India and South Asia of Visa attended the signing programme.

‘It is expected that this endeavour would provide an important platform for a2i and Visa to work together and contribute to achieving the Government’s next step of the Digital Bangladesh initiative towards becoming a ‘Cashless Society’, said a press release issued by the a2i.

Key areas of cooperation under the MoU are Digital Financial Services Lab, Women economic empowerment, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Skill Development, Thought leadership.

Both Parties will also work jointly to build the innovative payments solutions in different areas like Government payments, utility bill, education bill & fees payments etc, the release reads.

The Parties will strengthen cooperation through knowledge partnership including research and knowledge sharing in the areas of common interest. The Parties will also work jointly to build innovative payments solutions in different areas like Government payments, utility bill & Education fees payments etc.

Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said, “The MoU will provide an important platform to work together to strengthen and advance the Digital Bangladesh initiative to transform Bangladesh towards a ‘Cashless Economy’.

“We believe that this initiative will be able to contribute to accelerate an inclusive financial ecosystem in Bangladesh through this unique collaboration between a2i & Visa. We are hopeful that this partnership with Visa will be the beginning of a new era with lots of possibilities to drive collaborative initiatives in the coming days”, he said.

Mr. Sandeep Ghosh said, ‘Bangladesh has been at the forefront of bringing payment innovations to the market and ensuring that a wide array of consumers and merchants become a part of Digital Bangladesh.