Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, is set to demonstrate its internet services at the upcoming Bangladesh Investment Summit, scheduled for April 9. Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), clarified that this demo is not the official launch, as a full commercial rollout will take more time.
The Bangladesh Investment Summit will take place from April 7 to April 10 at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, with over 550 foreign investors from 50 countries and more than 2,300 Bangladeshi investors expected to attend. Chowdhury expressed optimism, predicting a modest 2-3% increase in investments, focusing more on networking and fostering connections than on seminars.
Government agencies like the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Ministry of Commerce are scheduled to hold separate sessions with potential investors to strengthen ties. Major global companies such as Meta, Uber, Telenor, and Samsung will participate, alongside political leaders who will engage with investors.
Prominent business leaders from international corporations, including Zara Group, DP World, and Samsung C&T, as well as leading venture capital firms such as B Capital, Gobi, and Marubeni, will attend the summit to explore startup investments and expanding the digital economy.
Chowdhury emphasized the importance of local and foreign investments in generating more jobs, adding that the goal is to provide investors with a realistic view of Bangladesh’s potential. The US, China, the UK, India, Singapore, and Japan are expected to be among the leading participating countries.
The summit will feature site visits to industrial areas like Chattogram and Mirsarai, along with a startup showcase program. Leading foreign investors will also explore the Japanese Economic Zone in Narayanganj on April 8. The Chief Advisor to the Government of Bangladesh will officially inaugurate the event on April 9, followed by various investment sessions, including those on renewable energy, the digital economy, and more.
Key partners of the summit include UNDP, FCDO, Grameenphone, the World Bank, and FICCI.
