DHAKA, June 29, 2022 (BSS) - Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam today inaugurated a pilot project to set up digital payment booths at cattle markets (haats) on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, one of the major religious festivals of the Muslims.

"To ensure safe and easy transactions, a pilot project has been inaugurated to set up digital payment booths at 6 cattle markets under DNCC. The haats are located at Gabtali, Bosila, Aftabnagar, Bhatara, Kawla and Uttara," the mayor said.

He inaugurated digital payment system at a press conference titled 'Smart Bangladesh, Smart Haat' held at a city hotel with the presence of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister Tajul said: "I believe that digital transactions will be available in cattle markets in all parts of the country in phases."

The DNCC haats have payment partners such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express.

A total of six commercial banks -- Bank Asia Limited, BRAC Bank Limited, Mutual Trust Bank Limited, Eastern Bank Limited, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited and The City Bank Limited -- are working as lead banks for setting up and operating digital payment booths.

As mobile financial institutions, bKash Limited and Islami Bank mCash are working to this end.