Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government has taken a comprehensive initiative to develop the semiconductor industry, describing it as Bangladesh's next major economic growth engine after the readymade garments (RMG) sector.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR (Bangladesh Electronics, AI and Robotics) Summit-2026 at the Novo Theatre in Dhaka, he said the government was creating a business-friendly environment to help develop the sector.
"The semiconductor industry could emerge as Bangladesh's next promising economic sector after the RMG industry. The government has already started implementing comprehensive plans, including creating a business-friendly environment, to transform this next major driver of economic prosperity into reality," he said.
Calling the summit more than an ordinary event, the prime minister said it had brought together people who would help build a technology-driven Bangladesh.
He noted that many Bangladeshi expatriates working in the technology sector abroad had joined the summit and said the government was committed to building a self-reliant, prosperous and technology-driven Bangladesh.
Describing semiconductors as the foundation of modern civilisation in the era of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, Tarique said chips are essential in artificial intelligence, robotics, data centres, renewable energy, medical equipment, mobile phones and satellites.
Highlighting the industry's potential, he said the global semiconductor market is expected to reach nearly $1 trillion by 2026 and Bangladesh has significant opportunities to secure a share of that market.
The prime minister said the government considers the semiconductor industry a national priority but stressed that its development requires the combined efforts of the government, universities, research institutions, entrepreneurs, industrialists and expatriate experts.
He said the government had withdrawn all taxes and duties on raw materials required for the semiconductor industry in the current budget and had also taken steps to introduce cash incentives on export earnings from semiconductor design services.
"For the first time, the government has allocated Tk 5 crore annually as startup grants to support new innovations, and its distribution process has already begun," he said.
He added that the government was working to provide tax-free bonded facilities and specialised infrastructure to attract local and foreign investment, while also planning to establish a new biotech park alongside modernising existing high-tech parks.
Acknowledging skill shortages and intense global competition, Tarique said the country would rely on its talented youth and innovative capacity to achieve its goals.
Later, the prime minister inaugurated the two-day National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR Summit-2026, toured exhibition booths showcasing innovations in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics and other deep-tech sectors, and joined a photo session with local and foreign delegates.
The summit is being organised jointly by the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Silicon River Bangladesh programme under the theme, "Building Bangladesh's Semiconductor Future through Global Partnerships."
