Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called on Malaysian telecom giant Axiata to introduce 5G services in Bangladesh and explore investment opportunities in data centres. Speaking on Tuesday, he emphasised the need for high-speed internet to fuel economic growth and attract global investors to the country’s expanding digital economy.
He noted that the interim government is streamlining licensing regimes to create a more business-friendly environment for top telecommunications operators.
Axiata Group CEO Vivek Sood said the company had conducted a 5G trial in Bangladesh but highlighted that a stronger fibre optic backbone is crucial for full-scale deployment. He said Robi, Axiata’s Bangladeshi arm, has invested around $200 million annually in recent years and remains open to 5G investment.
However, Sood cited high spectrum costs and a fragmented licensing regime as challenges for foreign telecom investment. He added that Axiata is also exploring joint venture opportunities for data centre projects in Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus urged stronger collaboration between regulators and private operators, saying, “The most important thing is to come closer and understand each other.”
The Axiata delegation was led by Chairman Shahril Ridza Ridzuan and included senior executives Foong Chee Keong and Thomas Hundt. The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, and Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed.
