Bangladesh’s chip industry has asked the country’s investment authority to back a bold plan to build a $1 billion export hub, a move that could create thousands of skilled jobs and grow tech exports fast. Industry leaders from the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association presented detailed proposals asking the authority to take charge of policy steps, global branding and incentives so local firms can compete abroad. The association notes Bangladesh now has about twenty companies working in chips and embedded systems, with around thirteen officially registered and about eight hundred to one thousand engineers and technicians on the payroll, and current exports are small at roughly eight to ten million dollars a year. The plan lays out a path to reach a much larger goal by 2030, tapping a fast-growing global market where semiconductors and embedded systems are in high demand. Key requests include roadshows in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and the United States to showcase local skills, a special desk to speed investments from non-resident Bangladeshis, and a joint public-private taskforce to turn plans into action. The industry also asks for a dedicated semiconductor fund, long tax holidays of ten to twelve years, duty-free imports of tools and testing machines, and a clear legal act that secures incentives and protects intellectual property to give investors confidence. Leaders say early wins, like allocating space in high-tech parks and easing customs for leased equipment, will help attract partners and speed growth. The association points to nearby countries that have moved faster and urges similar urgency so Bangladesh is not left behind. Officials see the plan as a way to create jobs, boost exports and add new skills to the economy while diversifying beyond garments and crops. If the hub grows as planned, it could support design, testing and small scale assembly and help the country join global supply chains for medical devices, smart meters and other kit. The proposals also stress training, stronger research links, and help for startups so talent can stay and build businesses at home. The investment authority has already named a full-time officer to follow the sector and said it will discuss the measures with relevant ministries. While competition is strong, the mix of clear policy, focused marketing and targeted incentives could give local firms a real chance to scale, bring in diaspora support, and build a new tech export sector that benefits towns across the country. Industry experts estimate the sector could create about ten thousand skilled jobs, and embedded systems alone are seen as a large market worth many billions. Clear laws, hands-on training and links with universities will help young engineers find work and help small towns earn new income from tech exports locally.
