SpaceX, Tesla founder and X (former Twitter) owner Elon Musk, held discussions with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to bring Starlink services to Bangladesh. In addition, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus invited Elon Musk to come to Bangladesh.
He made the invitation on the eve of a comprehensive discussion on future cooperation and further progress on the launch of Starlink satellite internet services in Bangladesh via video call with Elon Musk on Thursday (February 13). The Chief Advisor's press wing reported this information.
The meeting was attended by High Representative for the Rohingya Crisis and Priorities Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator for SDGs Lamia Morshed, SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer and Global Engagement Advisor Richard Griffiths.
During the conversation, Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Elon Musk highlighted the transformative impact of Starlink satellite communications, especially on Bangladesh’s entrepreneurial youth, rural and vulnerable women, and remote communities.
The discussion focused on how high-speed, low-cost internet connectivity can bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh, empower education, healthcare, and economic development in underserved areas, and provide access to millions of small and micro entrepreneurs across national borders.
Dr. Yunus said that adding Starlink connectivity to Bangladesh’s infrastructure will create new opportunities for millions of people and integrate the country more closely with the global digital economy.
He expressed his interest in working with Musk to unlock the full potential of technology-driven social and economic growth in Bangladesh and other countries around the world.
Dr. Yunus said that Starlink can be an extension of Grameen Bank and Grameen Phone, which will play a leading role in showcasing rural women and youth to the world. They will become global entrepreneurs.
Elon Musk praised Grameen Bank’s microfinance model and talked about its global impact on poverty alleviation.
Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk said he has been familiar with the work of both Grameen Bank and Grameen Palli Phone for many years.
He expressed his strong belief that leveraging technological advances like Starlink can further accelerate innovation, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion in Bangladesh.
Dr. Yunus invited Elon Musk to visit Bangladesh for the potential launch of Starlink services and highlighted the significance of this initiative for national development, to which Musk responded positively. Musk said, “I look forward to it.”
This engagement is expected to be an important step in bringing advanced satellite connectivity to Bangladesh, fostering economic growth, digital inclusion, and innovation across the country.
Both sides agreed to make rapid progress on this initiative and the High Representative instructed Khalilur Rahman, Ms. Dreyer and Mr. Griffiths to coordinate further work.
