Mobile financial service (MFS) provider bKash recently signed a partnership agreement with City Bank PLC and Salextra Limited to introduce handset financing through bKash Pay Later, making smartphones more accessible to customers across Bangladesh.

Under this collaboration, bKash Pay Later will enable customers to purchase Nokia handsets with flexible financing.

City Bank PLC will act as the financier, while Salextra Limited, the national manufacturer and distributor of Nokia and HMD handsets in Bangladesh, will ensure the availability of devices.

Ali Ahmmed, chief commercial officer of bKash, Md Arup Haider, deputy managing director and head of retail banking at City Bank, and Riajul Islam, managing director of Salextra Limited, signed the agreement in Dhaka, according to a press release.

Speaking on the partnership, Ahmmed said, "By partnering with City Bank PLC and Salextra Limited, we are taking another step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering millions of Bangladeshis."

Haider remarked, "This collaboration aligns with our vision of expanding digital financial inclusion and offering customers more flexible payment solutions."

Islam stated, "As the national manufacturer and distributors of Nokia and HMD handsets in Bangladesh, we believe this partnership will ensure wider access to high-quality smartphones."

"With the power of bKash Pay Later and City Bank's financing, customers can now own the devices they need to stay connected and productive," he added.

Kazi Al Amin, country manager of HMD Global, attended the signing ceremony.

This initiative is expected to significantly enhance smartphone accessibility, supporting the nation's digital transformation, the press release added.