Photo : Messenger
Speakers at a recent seminar said integrating digital payments in the microfinance sector could save work hours, enhance productivity, simplify instalment and deposit collection, ensure 24/7 transaction reporting, reduce cash-carrying risk, and increase the efficiency of cash management.
They also said digital payments would ensure overall efficiency and bring dynamism to the country's microcredit activities.
The seminar was jointly organised by bKash and DataSoft to raise awareness of digital payments.
Representatives from different microfinance institutions (MFIs) using Microfin360 solution by DataSoft participated in the seminar arranged at a hotel in the capital.
Among other top officials, Kamal Quadir, chief executive officer of bKash, M Monjur Mahmud, president of DataSoft Systems, and Ali Ahmmed, chief commercial officer of bKash, were present on the occasion.
Speakers at the event also discussed the benefits of using digital payments in MFIs through bKash, especially in automatic bank settlement, digital receipt and passbook, receiving instalments and savings from clients any time and place, microfinance payment by dialling *247#, payment from agent points, etc.
They also discussed making overall microcredit activities more effective, efficient, easier, faster, and safer through digital transactions.
Meanwhile, Mahfuzur Rahman Chowdhury, executive director of Muslim Aid Bangladesh, and Moshiur Rahman, microfinance director of People-Oriented Programme Implementation (POPI), spoke about digital inclusion in microcredit activities.
Besides, Farmina Hossain, operations director of Bureau Bangladesh; Mifta Nayeem Huda, executive director of Centre for Development, Innovation and Practices; and AKM Sirajul Islam, executive director of BASA Foundation, also addressed the programme through a video message.
DataSoft has long been providing data management and accounting system services to various MFIs through their Microfin360 solution.
Around 10 million customers of more than 200 MFIs use DataSoft's solution to enjoy hassle-free loan instalment repayment through bKash, saving time and cost.
They also said the joint service of bKash and DataSoft would add a new dimension to the microcredit activities conducted across the country.
Messenger/Fameema
