PM sparks hope over PayPal as freelancers tally the cost

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has taken effective steps to launch operations of PayPal in Bangladesh, reviving hopes across the country’s growing digital workforce.

Speaking during a question-answer session in parliament on April 15, he said a committee has been formed to ensure the effective operation of hi-tech parks and ICT centres, alongside taking concrete steps to bring PayPal into the local market.

For thousands of Bangladeshi freelancers, getting paid can feel harder than earning the money itself.

From delayed transfers to high conversion fees and reliance on indirect channels, the absence of a widely accepted international payment gateway has long been a quiet but persistent burden. Now, there may be a shift on the horizon.

For years, Bangladeshi freelancers and online entrepreneurs have had to rely on workarounds. Many use third-party accounts registered abroad, depend on intermediaries who charge commissions, or accept payments through less convenient platforms. The process often eats into earnings and exposes them to risks such as account restrictions or payment delays.

The lack of seamless payment access has also limited small e-commerce businesses and startups looking to sell products or services globally. Industry insiders say the absence of PayPal has, in many cases, discouraged potential clients who prefer familiar and trusted payment systems.

In December, former Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur said PayPal was expected to begin operations, highlighting its potential to ease transactions for freelancers, e-commerce entrepreneurs and the IT sector.

Around the same time, PayPal’s South Asia team, based in Singapore, held meetings with local freelancers and officials from the ICT Division, signalling renewed engagement.

PayPal, a global digital financial service, enables users to send and receive payments, manage funds and conduct cross-border transactions with relative ease. Its entry into Bangladesh could significantly reduce dependency on intermediaries and improve confidence among international clients.