After the garment industry, the semiconductor industry can emerge as the new economic potential sector of Bangladesh, said Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. He said that the government has already started working to create a business-friendly environment and ensure necessary policy support for the development of this sector.
He said these things during the opening ceremony of the two-day long ‘National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR Summit 2026’ held at the capital’s Novotheater on Saturday morning.
The Prime Minister said that semiconductors are not just an industry, but the foundation of the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions. Semiconductors are essential in everything from artificial intelligence, robotics, data centers, renewable energy, medical technology, smartphones to space technology.
He said that by 2026, the global semiconductor market is likely to reach about 1 trillion US dollars. He expressed optimism that Bangladesh has an opportunity to participate in this huge market and that it will be possible to achieve the set export targets from this sector by 2030.
Referring to the semiconductor industry as a national priority sector, the Prime Minister said that the development of this industry is not only for the government; A collective initiative of universities, research institutes, entrepreneurs, industries and expatriate Bangladeshi experts is needed.
Highlighting various initiatives taken by the government, he said that in the current budget, all types of taxes and duties on the raw materials of the semiconductor industry have been withdrawn. Besides, initiatives have been taken to introduce cash incentives on the export earnings of semiconductor design services.
The Prime Minister also said that the government has for the first time launched a ‘startup grant’ of Rs 500 crore annually to encourage young innovators. He said that its allocation process has already started.
He also highlighted plans to build a new biotech park along with building bonded facilities, specialized infrastructure and modern hi-tech parks to attract domestic and foreign investment.
The Prime Minister said that although the competition in the international market is difficult, the country will achieve success in this sector by relying on the talented youth, skilled human resources and innovative capabilities of Bangladesh. The government will continue to provide all necessary support to investors and entrepreneurs.
He expressed hope that new partnerships, research collaborations and investment opportunities will be created through this conference, which will take the country’s technology industry to new heights.
After the speech, the Prime Minister announced the official opening of the ‘National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR Summit 2026’ and took part in a photo session with local and foreign representatives.
Organized under the theme ‘Building Bangladesh’s Semiconductor Future through Global Partnership’, the two-day conference was organized by the Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), Ministry of Science and Technology and Silicon River Bangladesh Programme.
BEAR Innovation Expo 2026, held as part of the summit, showcased various deep-tech innovations including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare technology, intelligent systems invented by students and startup entrepreneurs at 35 stalls. The Prime Minister visited the exhibition stalls.
Source: Bass
Times BD/ Zaman
