Bangladesh eyes brain circulation for AI, chip ambitions

Bangladesh is seeking to transform brain drain into "brain circulation" by mobilising expatriate expertise and attracting Silicon Valley investment in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and digital infrastructure, advancing the BNP government's ambition to build a technology-driven economy.

"We want to go 180 degrees opposite of brain drain. We want brain circulation. We want to bring them back," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told BSS on Thursday. 

She said the government wanted to reconnect highly skilled Bangladeshi professionals abroad with opportunities at home through investment, research, technology transfer and knowledge-sharing.

Several Bangladeshi professionals had already returned from Silicon Valley, while others were interested in contributing through investment, research collaboration and knowledge-sharing without necessarily relocating, Shama said referring her high-level engagements with leading technology companies and academic institutions in the United States.

The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government's priorities of developing AI, semiconductor technology, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure to diversify the economy beyond traditional industries.

Under its 2026 election manifesto, the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) pledged to establish Bangladesh as an international hub for AI, software and hardware production, create one million technology-related jobs and develop AI-driven data centres to strengthen digital sovereignty.

The employment target includes 200,000 jobs in cybersecurity and AI and another 800,000 in freelancing and content creation. The manifesto also envisages an AI-driven data centre campus, a global edge data centre hub and incentives for technology entrepreneurs and startups.

"We have potential. We have talent. We have people," she said, describing Bangladesh's young population as a major asset for technological advancement.

Semiconductor ambitions

The Silicon Valley engagements come as the government intensifies efforts to develop the semiconductor industry as a new source of high-value exports and skilled employment.

On July 25, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declared semiconductors a national priority, identifying the industry as a potential growth engine after the readymade garment sector.

Addressing the National Semiconductor Symposium and Bangladesh Electronics, AI and Robotics (BEAR) Summit 2026, the Prime Minister outlined plans for investment incentives, specialised infrastructure, research partnerships and skilled workforce development.

The government has introduced import-duty and tax concessions for semiconductor-related materials in the 2026-27 fiscal year and initiated measures to encourage semiconductor design service exports.

The Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association has set a target of achieving US$1 billion in semiconductor exports by 2030.

Shama said discussions with American technology companies explored opportunities for Bangladesh to enter the global semiconductor value chain.

"We have possibilities in the semiconductor industry. We are going to work on data storage and data infrastructure," she said.

Sovereign AI for Bangladesh

The state minister said the government also wanted to develop "sovereign AI" tailored to Bangladesh's socioeconomic realities, particularly in agriculture, business and entrepreneurship.

"The question is, what kind of AI Bangladesh should have in its socioeconomic context?" she said.

"How can a farmer use AI and benefit from it in farming? How can our businesses, women entrepreneurs and startups use it?"

She said AI applications could improve productivity, strengthen small businesses and create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs and startups.

The initiative complements the government's proposed human-centric National AI Policy, focusing on responsible innovation, data protection, ethical governance and inclusive development.

In July, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam outlined the proposed policy during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

Shama stressed that investments in digital infrastructure must be accompanied by skills development to ensure Bangladeshis can effectively use emerging technologies.

Academic partnerships and manufacturing

During the US visit, the Bangladesh delegation also held meetings with the University of California, Berkeley, and Arizona State University on research, innovation, capacity building and collaboration with Bangladeshi universities.

"Our meetings with the two universities were very productive," Shama said, expressing optimism about formal cooperation in areas requiring advanced technological expertise.

She said such partnerships could help develop researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs while connecting Bangladesh with global innovation networks.

The state minister also expressed Bangladesh's ambition to become a manufacturing destination for international technology companies.

"We believe Bangladesh can become a manufacturing hub," she said.

Referring to Apple's global production network, she argued that Bangladesh could attract similar manufacturing investments through appropriate policies, infrastructure and skilled manpower.

"Why not Bangladesh? It is very much possible," she said.

Investment climate crucial

Shama acknowledged that realising these ambitions would require a transparent, predictable and secure investment environment.

She said the Prime Minister was working to strengthen investment-related laws and institutions to improve transparency, accountability and investor confidence.

The BNP government's broader technology agenda includes startup financing, innovation incentives, stronger digital infrastructure and measures to encourage foreign investment.

"If we can create that environment, I believe the possibilities are enormous," she said.

Shama expressed optimism that combining diaspora expertise, foreign investment, university partnerships and domestic reforms could gradually establish Bangladesh as a competitive destination for AI, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.

She said the ultimate objective was not merely to reverse brain drain but to establish a sustainable two-way exchange of talent, technology, investment and knowledge between Bangladesh and global innovation centres.

Such "brain circulation", she said, could turn the country's demographic potential into technological advancement, high-value employment and sustainable economic growth.