Dhaka: State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim on Thursday said mobile phone operators of the country will be directed to initiate payment  of e-commerce bills from airtime balance for their subscribers.

The junior minister came up with the remark while talking to news agency UNB after attending a meeting over the progress of e-commerce implemented by the Postal Department.

The ministry will discuss with the mobile phone operators on this issue, Tarana said, adding "I think the operators will show interest on this proposal and they will be benefited from this."

Postal Department, in association with e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) introduced a new service in the capital for selling and purchasing products through internet.

Some 11 post offices in the capital are receiving products while 21 post offices are distributing those.

Tarana also suggested introducing Direct Career Billing (DCB) system at all post offices of the country aiming to allow the mobile phone subscribers to pay the cost of low-paid products and parcel cost from their airtime.