Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB), Sheba Pay and MasterCard have launched the country's first prepaid card for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The card was launched at a hotel in Gulshan on Sunday.

The card, called the 'Companion Prepaid Card', has been specially designed for SME retailers transacting on Seva Pay's business-to-business (B2B) platform. The card offers various benefits including business transactions without a bank account, cash flow management, timely bill payments, etc. It also offers contactless payment through NFC technology, instant balance checking, ATM withdrawals, and online and offline transactions at home and abroad.

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Also present were Bangladesh Bank Director (SMESPD) Naushad Mostafa, SME Foundation Managing Director (MD) Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, MTB MD and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman, MasterCard Bangladesh Head Syed Mohammad Kamal, Seva Per Chairman Adnan Imtiaz Halim, among others.

MTB MD Mahbubur Rahman said, 'This is an important step to bring modern financial services to the people without any accounting.'

Adnan Imtiaz Halim, Chairman of Seba Pay, said, "At Seba Pay, our goal is to make transactions easier in Bangladesh. Customers can confidently navigate the digital economy without having to rely on traditional banking channels."

In addition, a consumer prepaid card has been launched for general customers. This card will be available in both plastic and virtual forms. Cardholders will be able to enjoy discounts at more than 9,000 merchant points in the country, in addition to various offers from MasterCard.

Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, Mastercard Bangladesh, said, "This first prepaid card in the country will increase our digital acceptance. At the same time, the launch of this card is part of our commitment to ensuring financial inclusion by providing easy, secure and timely transaction services."