Bangladesh Forms Special Committee to Explore PayPal Launch

The Bangladesh government has established a special committee to explore the steps required to launch PayPal in the country, according to a gazette notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on 2 March.

Committee Leadership and Members

The committee will be chaired by Rehan Asif Asad, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. Key members include:

• Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority

• Governor of the Bangladesh Bank

• Secretary of the Finance Division

• Chairman of the National Board of Revenue

• Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, who will serve as the member secretary

The notification also allows the committee to include additional members if needed.

Mandate and Responsibilities

One of the primary tasks of the committee is to facilitate the launch of PayPal operations in Bangladesh. As one of the world’s leading online payment platforms, PayPal is widely used for cross-border transactions, especially by freelancers and technology professionals.

In addition, the committee will work to:

• Improve management of high-tech and software parks and ICT centres across Bangladesh

• Develop policies to provide affordable workspaces for freelancers and tech professionals

• Promote ICT training programmes to help build a skilled workforce for the technology sector

Addressing Longstanding Freelancer Demands

For years, freelancers and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have advocated for access to global payment services like PayPal. They argue that it would simplify international transactions and strengthen the country’s connection to the global digital economy.

The formation of this committee marks a significant step toward addressing these demands and supporting Bangladesh’s growing ICT and freelancing sectors.