This blog post highlights the real and practical scenario of DFS/MFS accounts use tendency of the micro-merchants in four of the poorest districts in Bangladesh (Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Sherpur and Tangail). The blog focuses on DFS/MFS use, capacity development needs, misconceptions, challenges faced and some key recommendations.

Recently, MDDRM project of UNCDF, with the financial support of European Union, has implemented a caravan campaign in 33 Upazillas (five days caravan movement in each upazilla) under Tangail, Sirajganj, Jamalpur and Sherpur districts. A total of 151505 micro-merchants have been reached in these upazillas through the campaign that contained dissemination of leaflets on issue specific micro-merchant’s business development, illustrative booklets and voice contents through sound systems, face to face contacts etc.

During the caravan campaign, a total of 68 key informant interviews (24 were conducted in Tangail, 19 in Sirajganj, 15 in Jamalpur and 10 in Sherpur district) were also conducted. From the findings of the KIIs, it was identified that most of the micro-merchants have great interest to do their businesses with digital transactions. Some of them have digital accounts and used to transact money digitally. The less educated and micro-merchants in rural areas generally face some challenges to use digital financial services from business points of view and also from their own.

For details, please read: https://spark.adobe.com/page/bTbWGgl60qwkC/