Bangladesh to hit semiconductor milestone by 2030: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said Bangladesh will achieve its semiconductor industry targets by 2030, citing sustained government initiatives, a growing pool of skilled professionals and investor-friendly policies as key drivers of the country's technological transformation.

Speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the two-day National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR Summit 2026 at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre in Tejgaon on Saturday (July 25), the prime minister described the semiconductor sector as a national priority in building a technology-driven and self-reliant Bangladesh.

He said Bangladesh has already made significant progress in semiconductor design, verification, embedded systems, power electronics and advanced packaging, while several local companies have successfully entered international markets—demonstrating the country's growing capabilities in the high-tech sector.

"The development of the semiconductor industry is not the responsibility of a single ministry or institution; it is a national mission," the prime minister said, stressing the need for coordinated efforts among the government, industry, academia and research institutions to build a globally competitive ecosystem.

Highlighting the government's commitment to attracting investment, Tarique Rahman said a series of business-friendly measures—including tax incentives, bonded warehouse facilities, investment-supportive policies and specialised infrastructure—are being implemented to accelerate growth in the semiconductor sector.

The summit, jointly organised by the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) and Silicon River Bangladesh, has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and Bangladeshi technology experts from around the world.

The two-day programme features 11 plenary sessions, seven strategic panel discussions and a technology exhibition showcasing the latest developments in the semiconductor industry. International experts, including Texas Instruments Chief Technology Officer Dr Ahmed Bahai and Purdue University Professor Dimitrios Peroulis, are among the keynote speakers.

Representatives from leading global technology companies, including GlobalFoundries, NXP, Applied Materials, SanDisk, Credo, and the Vietnam Semiconductor Alliance, are also participating in the event.

Running alongside the summit is the BEAR Innovation Expo 2026, where students and startup entrepreneurs are showcasing innovations in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, health technology and other deep-tech sectors across 35 exhibition booths.

The government views the initiative as a major step toward positioning Bangladesh as an emerging player in the global semiconductor value chain while strengthening the country's knowledge-based economy.