In a bold move toward digital transformation, Bangladesh has officially granted a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, opening the door to high-speed internet access across remote regions of the country.
The announcement came just a day before the Dhaka Investment Summit, where Starlink will be formally unveiled as a flagship innovation partner.
“We granted them approval,” confirmed Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud, chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, during a press briefing on Sunday. The decision was finalized on March 28, just days before U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs that threaten Bangladesh’s critical garment industry.
The new U.S. tariffs raise duties on cotton-based exports from 16 percent to a steep 37 percent, a potentially devastating blow to Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment exporter. The country sends over $8.4 billion worth of garments to the U.S. annually, making up nearly 20 percent of its total apparel exports, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
In response, interim Prime Minister and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation. His office confirmed that he plans to send a formal letter to President Trump appealing for tariff reconsideration, highlighting the economic impact on Bangladesh’s workforce and exports.
Despite trade tensions, Starlink’s arrival is being seen as a beacon of hope. The service, which leverages low Earth orbit satellites to provide broadband connectivity in underserved regions, is expected to be a game-changer for rural communities. In a prior conversation between Musk and Yunus in February, both leaders emphasized how Starlink could empower Bangladesh’s youth, marginalized women, and remote populations by bridging the digital divide.
The approval of Starlink also comes amid growing scrutiny of Musk’s dual roles as a key U.S. political figure and tech entrepreneur. His frequent meetings with world leaders, including his engagement with Bangladesh, have sparked global interest in how his business ventures align with diplomatic strategy.
Still, as Bangladesh charts a course toward connectivity and economic resilience, the rollout of Starlink marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s tech evolution—and a signal that it’s ready to embrace the digital future, even in uncertain times.