With the help of MasterCard and Bangladesh Association of Software Services (BASIS), the country has launched a freelancer card called 'Independent' for the first time, Bank Asia Limited. The freelancers can directly accept income from their respective international employers through this card. With this local card launched on MasterCard, it can be used to collect foreign currency, save up to 70 percent of the income in dollars and use online for shopping.
At present, there are approximately six and a half million freelancers in Bangladesh. Five lakh of them work on the basis of monthly income.
The bank's Deputy Governor SM Moniruzzaman, Bank Asia Limited Chairman A Rouf Chowdhury, Managing Director Md. Arfan Ali, BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir and MasterCard India's Country Corporate Officer Porosinh Singh.
MasterCard India's Country Corporate Officer Porosh Singh said, "Online trading is important in creating a cashless world. The independent card will allow freelancing community to take money in legitimate ways.