Eastern Bank Signs MoU with RHD for Electronic Toll Collection System

Dhaka, July 26, 2026 — Eastern Bank PLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to implement an electronic toll collection system, marking a significant step toward digitizing Bangladesh's highway toll payment infrastructure. 🚢

📝 The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Syed Moinul Hasan, Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, and M Khorshed Anowar, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Retail and SME Banking at Eastern Bank PLC. 🤝

📊 Electronic Toll Collection System

🚧 The electronic toll collection system will digitize highway toll payments across Bangladesh, replacing the current manual cash-based system with automated electronic payments. 💻 Key features include:

• ✅ Cashless payments — reducing congestion at toll plazas
• 💰 Improved revenue collection — reducing leakage and manual handling
• 💻 Digital infrastructure — part of Digital Bangladesh vision
• 🚢 Reduced travel time — benefiting commercial vehicles and trade logistics

🌏 Impact on Trade and Logistics

🚢 The digitization of toll collection is particularly important for Bangladesh's export-oriented economy. 📊 Efficient transport infrastructure reduces logistics costs and improves the competitiveness of Bangladeshi products in global markets. 👕 For the RMG sector, which relies on timely delivery of goods to Chattogram port, reduced toll plaza delays can significantly improve supply chain efficiency.

📈 Private Sector Role in Infrastructure Digitalization

🏛 Eastern Bank's partnership with RHD demonstrates the growing role of private banks in Bangladesh's infrastructure digitalization. 💻 The collaboration complements government efforts to modernize the country's transport and logistics systems, which are critical for supporting the country's ambitious export targets.

🌏 The electronic toll collection system aligns with Bangladesh's broader Digital Bangladesh vision, which aims to leverage technology to improve governance, service delivery, and economic efficiency across all sectors. 📈 As more highways adopt electronic toll collection, the benefits will cascade through the economy — reducing transport costs, improving logistics efficiency, and supporting the country's export competitiveness.