Bangladesh Also Wants To Focus On Semiconductors

The Bangladesh National Semiconductor Working Group has developed a roadmap to unlock the nation's semiconductor potential, focusing on three priority areas – skills development, business environment and policy support, and global connectivity.

According to the roadmap, the program includes a training program, a virtual certification portal, and a high-tech lab to build a skilled chip design and test team.

Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, shared this vision at a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Academy yesterday.

He said the working group recommended financial incentives, simplifying customs processes and setting up dedicated areas in high-tech parks to attract investors and start-ups.

"Globally, Bangladesh aims to build partnerships, develop joint ventures, and leverage its diaspora network to tap into talent, technology and markets," he added. "

He also said that through this roadmap, Bangladesh hopes to become a major player in the global semiconductor ecosystem, transforming its economic and technological future.

However, he acknowledged that Bangladesh is not ready for the massive investment required to set up a semiconductor manufacturing plant.

He highlighted the huge opportunities in design services, chip testing and packaging.

"Design and packaging provide us with the fastest path to entry," the task force's report states, citing local professionals who have already worked with Silicon Valley companies and the country's large number of science and engineering graduates.

In the medium term, the working group recommends expanding advanced training, promoting research collaborations, and exploring the prospects of semiconductor manufacturing through global partnerships.

Countries such as Malaysia, which are currently facing a shortage of skilled chip designers, are potential partners and markets for Bangladeshi talent, the report added.

If these recommendations are realized, the Working Group expects that it will transform Bangladesh from a marginal player to a serious competitor in the global semiconductor value chain.

Chowdhury, CEO of Bida, said: "Bangladesh's strength lies in its young, tech-savvy workforce eager to acquire advanced skills. "

He said a clear timeline had been proposed to ensure accountability, saying, "Now the ball is in the hands of the Office of the Chief Counsel." "

Chowdhury believes that if Bangladesh can create an investor-friendly environment, the industry is expected to attract hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in investment. "Systematic implementation and political continuity are essential for success."

ABM Harun-your-Rashid, a member of the working group and a professor at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), expressed similar optimism.

"Graduates of our engineering universities are globally competitive. If we can create good opportunities here, they won't need to go abroad to work in places like Silicon Valley. He said.

However, he noted that Bangladesh faces significant challenges in building its domestic semiconductor industry.

"Competing with existing global semiconductor hubs requires strong international partnerships and strict adherence to quality standards," said Professor Buet. "

Another member of the task force, Saeed Mahfozur Aziz, former vice-chancellor of the Bangladesh Rural Development Council University, said Bangladesh aims to train 4,000 to 5,000 engineers annually by 2030 to fill the semiconductor talent gap.

He noted that short-term strategies include online learning, industry-led projects, and university collaborations to accelerate skills in chip design, verification, and testing.

"It's a high-skilled, high-paying industry," Aziz said. Our young population is our greatest asset, but we must ensure that they have access to the right training and industry experience. "

He also revealed that Bangladesh is looking to work with semiconductor powerhouses such as Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and the United States to integrate into the global supply chain.

He stressed that long-term success will require policy stability and sustained commitment to secure Bangladesh's position in a market that is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.

Mohammed Enayetur Rahman, Founder, CEO and President of ULKASEMI, emphasized the importance of building cleanroom infrastructure, speeding up the process of importing specialized equipment, and securing government-backed financial support such as soft loans or grants to help local companies scale their operations.

"We are ready to work closely with the government. With the right support, our current team of 500 engineers can quickly grow to 1,000," said Rahman, whose company is one of the leading semiconductor design companies in Bangladesh.

Despite the positive outlook, Rahman acknowledges that there are significant obstacles. He said building a semiconductor manufacturing plant could require an investment of up to $12 billion - a scale that currently exceeds Bangladesh's capacity.

Instead, the country aims to consolidate its position in the less capital-intensive segments of the design services value chain.