Bangladeshi leader Yunus, Elon Musk discuss bringing Starlink to South Asian nation

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) — Bangladesh's transitional government head, Muhammad Yunus, held an extensive video discussion on broad collaboration with Elon Musk on Thursday, including the potential launch of Starlink satellite internet service in Bangladesh.

During the talks, Yunus and Musk highlighted Starlink’s role in transforming communications, particularly for Bangladesh’s enterprising youth, rural and vulnerable women, and remote communities.

Yunus, currently in Dubai for the World Governments Summit, joined the discussion from there, according to an official statement released Friday.

The statement quoted Yunus as saying that integrating Starlink’s connectivity into Bangladesh’s infrastructure would open up new opportunities for millions and strengthen the country's integration into the global digital economy.

They also discussed how high-speed, low-cost internet could help bridge Bangladesh’s digital divide, enhancing education, healthcare, and economic development in underserved regions while expanding market access for millions of small and micro-entrepreneurs.

Yunus expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Musk to harness technology for social and economic growth in Bangladesh and beyond.

Musk, founder of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, said he believes that leveraging technological advancements such as Starlink could further drive innovation, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion in Bangladesh.

The statement described the discussion as a significant step toward bringing advanced satellite connectivity to Bangladesh, fostering economic growth, digital inclusion, and nationwide innovation.