Bangladesh is set to commence trial operations of Starlink’s satellite internet service on 9 April, as announced by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), at a press conference on Sunday (23 March) at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
The trial launch will coincide with the inauguration of a four-day investment summit beginning on 7 April in Dhaka.
The event is expected to attract over 550 foreign investors from more than 50 countries, including a significant delegation from China, alongside investors from the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and India.
More than 2,000 representatives from various Bangladeshi enterprises will also participate.
Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the event, will officially inaugurate the summit on 9 April, marking the commencement of Starlink’s trial service.
Strategic investment promotion
BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Mahmud stated that the primary objective of the summit is to showcase Bangladesh’s investment environment to international stakeholders, aiming to boost foreign direct investment (FDI).
He emphasised that the initiative is designed to establish a long-term investment pipeline for the country.
As part of the programme, international investors will visit key economic zones.
On 7 April, they will tour the national economic zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram, followed by a visit to the Japanese economic zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj, on 8 April.
On 9 April, the main summit will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.
During this event, Starlink’s internet service will be deployed for trial use, enabling the live streaming of all summit events on social media.
Additionally, a cultural showcase will be held to introduce foreign investors to Bangladesh’s rich heritage.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud revealed that registration for the summit has been closed due to overwhelming response.
The event will focus on several key sectors, including renewable energy, the ready-made garments industry, agriculture, healthcare, and light engineering.
High-profile investors from globally renowned brands will also be in attendance, alongside representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), with scheduled discussions on labour and economic policies.
Addressing the current state of foreign direct investment, he noted that Bangladesh currently receives less than $1 billion in FDI, significantly below its potential. He stressed the necessity of increasing investment tenfold and underscored the need for sustained efforts to attract international capital.
While immediate growth may be challenging, he expressed confidence that noticeable changes would be evident within the next three to six months. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the summit.
Highlighting the critical role of reliable communication in fostering investment, the BIDA chief announced that Starlink’s trial phase would last for 90 days, following which the service is expected to be officially launched.
This initiative aims to ensure seamless connectivity, enhancing Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure to support both domestic and international business operations.
