A vibrant roadshow, seminar, and stall exhibition were held in Chattogram on Wednesday to mark the "Cashless Bangladesh Initiative Expansion Campaign," jointly organised by Bangladesh Bank and Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC.

The day-long event began with a colourful roadshow starting from Agrabad intersection, parading through Badamtali main road, and concluding at Hotel Agrabad, where a seminar followed.

Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, attended as chief guest, while Rafeza Akter Kanta, Director of the Payment Systems Department (PSD) of Bangladesh Bank, presided over the event.

Among the special guests were Md. Mokbul Hossain, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank; Md. Altaf Hossain, Additional Managing Director of Islami Bank; S.M. Sarwar Kamal, Chief Revenue Officer (Deputy Secretary); and Md. Sadi Ur Rahim Jadid, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue).

Md. Parwez Anjam Munir, Additional Director of PSD, showcased a video featuring a welcome message from the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, followed by a presentation highlighting the goals and achievements of the Cashless Bangladesh initiative.

Two local entrepreneurs — Md. Gias Uddin, owner of GS Ads, and Abul Kalam Azad, owner of Baraka Trading — shared their experiences using digital payment systems and the benefits of cashless transactions.

The event was attended by bank officials, merchants, teachers, students, and stakeholders from various sectors, all of whom expressed enthusiasm for the nationwide push toward digital finance.

Following the seminar, guests visited stalls from 18 Bangla QR–affiliated banks across Chattogram City, where interactive demonstrations showcased how QR-based payments are transforming everyday transactions.

In his address, chief guest Arif Hossain Khan noted that Bangladesh spends approximately Tk20,000 crore annually on cash management — a cost that could be significantly reduced through wider adoption of digital banking.

"When payments for goods or services are made digitally — through cashless, card, or cheque transactions — the risks associated with physical cash are reduced. This is why the Cashless Transaction Service initiative has been undertaken," he said.

The event underscored Bangladesh Bank's commitment to promoting digital transactions, enhancing financial inclusion, and steering the country toward a modern, efficient, and secure cashless economy.