Project launched to enable digital payment in Eid cattle markets

Bangladesh Bank and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) today launched a pilot project called "Smart Bangladesh Smart Haat" to facilitate digital payment in cattle markets.

The customers can visit cattle markets and buy their desired sacrificial animal for Eid-ul-Azha using their bank's credit, debit or prepaid cards.

Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul and DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam launched the project at an event at Sheraton Dhaka hotel.

Six commercial banks—Bank Asia, Brac Bank, Eastern Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh, Mutual Trust Bank, The City Bank—will facilitate these services at six cattle markets in Dhaka's Gabtoli, Bosila, Aftabnagar, Bhatara, Uttara and Kawla areas.

One bank will serve one market only.

For example, Brac Bank is setting up a digital booth at the Uttara cattle market.

In addition, payments through mobile financial service provider bKash will also be accepted.

About 9,093,242 cattle were sacrificed across the country last year, as per data from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Of this amount, about 387,579 cattle were sold online.

This year, about 20 makeshift cattle markets will be set up in Dhaka.