Bangladeshis who went abroad spent Tk 498.9 million on various services and products on credit cards in October this year. On the other hand, foreigners made Tk 129 million transactions in Bangladesh on credit cards.

This information was revealed from the updated report of Bangladesh Bank on domestic and international credit card transactions.

According to the central bank, Bangladeshis spend the most money on credit cards when going abroad in a few countries. India, the United States, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Singapore are at the top. The majority of Bangladeshis' credit card spending abroad is in these six countries.

Earlier, a large portion of Bangladeshis used to go to India every month for travel and medical treatment and spent the most money on credit cards in the country. But after the country's political change, there has been a radical change in the use of credit cards by Bangladeshis abroad. Last September, Bangladeshis spent Tk 420 million on credit cards in Thailand. In October, this spending increased to Tk 570 million. As a result, the country came in second place in credit card usage by Bangladeshis abroad. India was also in second place in September. In October, Bangladeshi spending on credit cards in India moved to third place.

Industry insiders say that after the August change of heart, India has imposed restrictions on travel and medical visas for Bangladeshis. Due to which, Bangladeshi travel to the country has decreased significantly. As a result, Bangladeshi credit card usage in the country has also decreased. Now Bangladeshis are choosing Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore instead of India for medical treatment and travel. Due to this, Bangladeshi credit card usage in these countries has also increased.

Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister on August 5 in the face of an unforgettable uprising by students and the public. This ended the Awami League's unprecedented 16 years of misrule and arbitrariness. The Indian government has closed tourist visas for Bangladeshis since the change of government. There has been no assurance as to when the visas will be resumed. Recently, while talking to reporters, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma said that now only those who need it urgently are being given visas. Because, manpower is less. If the activities are normal, it will be possible to start this (tourist visa). Every year, the maximum number of tourists from Bangladesh used to go to various provinces of India including Kolkata, Delhi, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Kashmir.

The Central Bank's Statistics Department has prepared a report with information from 44 banks and one financial institution issuing credit cards in the country. The report highlights information on credit card usage by Bangladeshi citizens inside and outside the country and by foreign citizens inside the country.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, the use of credit cards at home and abroad increased significantly in October. In a month, credit card spending within the country increased by 197 crore taka or about 7.5 percent. And spending abroad increased by 78 crore taka or more than 18.5 percent.

Last October, 2,866 crore taka was spent on credit cards within the country. Last September, the amount was 2,669 crore taka. And in October, Bangladeshis spent 4.99 billion taka on credit cards in different countries of the world. In September, the amount was 4.21 billion taka. The highest use of Bangladeshi credit cards abroad is now in the United States. In October, 84 billion taka was spent in the country, compared to 77 billion taka in September. Accordingly, Bangladeshi credit card spending in the United States has increased by 70 million taka or more than 8.15 percent in the space of one month.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, more than 28 percent or almost one-third of the money Bangladeshis spend abroad on credit cards is currently spent in the United States and Thailand. Of the 4.99 billion taka spent abroad in October, 141 billion taka was spent in these two countries. India was in third place in terms of credit card spending. Bangladeshis spent 54 billion taka in the country in October, which is 40 million taka more than the previous month.

After Thailand, Singapore has seen a big growth in terms of credit card spending abroad. Bangladeshis spent 43 billion taka in the country in October, compared to 300 million taka in September. Accordingly, credit card spending in the country has increased by 130 million taka in a month.

Meanwhile, along with the increase in credit card usage by Bangladeshis at home and abroad, the use of credit cards by foreigners residing in Bangladesh has also increased. In October, foreigners residing in Bangladesh spent 129 million taka on credit cards. The amount was 111 million taka in September. Accordingly, the spending of foreigners has increased by 180 million taka or 16.5 percent in a month. Foreigners in this country use credit cards the most to withdraw cash. Out of the 129 million taka spent in October, foreigners withdrew 47 million taka in cash.