Google Pay launched in Bangladesh for the first time

For the first time, Google Pay has been launched in Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in the country's journey toward a cashless digital economy.

The service has been introduced in collaboration with Google, City Bank, Mastercard, and Visa. With this launch, City Bank becomes the first bank in Bangladesh to bring Google's digital wallet services to its customers. The official inauguration took place today (24 June) at the Westin Dhaka in the capital's Gulshan area.

The event was graced by Dr Ahsan H Mansur, governor of Bangladesh Bank, who served as the chief guest. Also in attendance were Tracey Ann Jacobson, chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy in Dhaka; Hossain Khaled, vice chairman of City Bank; Mashrur Arefin, managing director and CEO of City Bank; Shammi Quddus, group product manager at Google Payments; Syed Mohammad Kamal, country manager of Mastercard Bangladesh; and Sabbir Ahmed, country manager of Visa Bangladesh, along with other senior officials.

With this new service, City Bank customers can now link their Mastercard or Visa credit and debit cards to Google Wallet, enabling them to use Google Pay for fast, secure, and contactless payments both locally and internationally. Transactions can be made by simply tapping Android smartphones at any NFC (Near Field Communication)-enabled POS terminal.

Google Pay incorporates advanced encryption technologies to protect user data, making it a secure and reliable option for digital transactions. As a result, users no longer need to carry physical cards—their smartphones become their digital wallets, usable for anything from shopping to air travel.

Central Bank's Governor Ahsan H Mansur welcomed the launch of Google Pay, expressing optimism about Bangladesh's attractiveness to both local and foreign investors.

"Bangladesh is becoming a reliable place for investment. I don't believe that foreign investors will come and take away our money—that's a misconception," he said.

He emphasised the importance of adopting advanced technology and global best practices.

"If foreign entities manage the Chattogram Port for 10–20 years, we could gain the skills necessary to manage such operations ourselves and even run ports abroad in the future. But thinking we can do everything immediately with our own tech isn't realistic."

Highlighting the broader goal of financial inclusion, the governor said, "We are working to create an inclusive financial system. Every Bangladeshi should be connected to the banking and financial sector. We are encouraging banks to adopt digital solutions."

City Bank CEO Mashrur Arefin added, "This partnership is a reflection of our commitment to building a future-focused digital payment ecosystem in Bangladesh. We are proud to offer this innovative service to our customers."

With the introduction of Google Pay, Bangladesh takes a strong step forward in digital transformation, setting the stage for further innovation and global integration in financial services.