By Official SpaceX Photos - Starlink Mission, CC0,
Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has extended an invitation to Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, to visit Bangladesh and initiate the Starlink satellite service within a timeframe of 90 days. Yunus communicated this invitation in a letter dated February 19.
In a statement shared on X, the Chief Adviser noted, “Chief Adviser invites Elon Musk to visit Bangladesh and launch Starlink in 90 working days. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has invited prominent US entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX, Elon Musk, to come to Bangladesh and implement the Starlink satellite service in the nation.”
In his letter to Musk, Yunus emphasized that the visit would provide an opportunity for Musk to engage with Bangladeshi youth, who are expected to be significant beneficiaries of this advanced technology.
It is important to highlight that the Starlink network is designed, owned, and operated by SpaceX. On February 15, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus mentioned that he had discussions with Elon Musk regarding a potential partnership to introduce the Starlink satellite internet service in Bangladesh. In a post on X, the Chief Adviser remarked, “Had a productive meeting with Mr. @elonmusk. We agreed to collaborate. Looking forward to launching Starlink in Bangladesh soon together with him.”
On February 14, Muhammad Yunus announced that he engaged in a comprehensive video discussion with Elon Musk to investigate potential collaboration and advance the introduction of the Starlink satellite internet service in Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, shared on X that he had an in-depth video conversation with Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, to discuss future partnerships and progress regarding the implementation of Starlink in Bangladesh.
Yunus also invited Musk to visit Bangladesh for the prospective launch of Starlink services, highlighting the importance of this initiative for the country’s development, to which Musk responded with enthusiasm. “I look forward to it,” Musk remarked. Throughout their dialogue, both Yunus and Musk highlighted the transformative potential of Starlink’s satellite communications, especially for the entrepreneurial youth, rural women, and remote communities in Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh highlighted in a press release the discussions surrounding the potential of high-speed, low-cost internet connectivity to address the digital divide in Bangladesh. This initiative aims to enhance education, healthcare, and economic development in underserved areas, while also providing millions of small and micro-entrepreneurs with opportunities that extend beyond national borders.
Yunus emphasized that the integration of Starlink’s connectivity into the country’s infrastructure would open new avenues for millions and strengthen Bangladesh’s position within the global digital economy. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Musk to fully harness the capabilities of technology for fostering social and economic growth in Bangladesh and worldwide, as stated in the release.
Yunus remarked that Starlink would serve as an extension of Grameen Bank and Grameen Phone’s efforts to connect rural women and youth to the global community. “They would emerge as global women, children, and entrepreneurs,” Yunus noted.
In response, Elon Musk commended the Grameen Bank microfinance model for its significant role in poverty alleviation on a global scale. He acknowledged his long-standing awareness of the initiatives undertaken by Grameen Bank and Grameen Village Phone. Musk expressed his conviction that utilizing technological innovations like Starlink could further promote innovation, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion in Bangladesh.
