Starlink Success Praised as SpaceX VP Meets Bangladesh's Chief Adviser
SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer has commended the coordinated efforts of Bangladeshi officials in the successful launch of Starlink internet services in the country. During a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Friday, Dreyer expressed her admiration for Bangladesh’s swift execution. (Source: BSS)
“We operate in over 150 countries and regions. We have never witnessed such efficiency and rapid decision-making before,” said Dreyer. “On behalf of all my colleagues at SpaceX, I thank you. We look forward to working closely with your people.”
The Chief Adviser thanked Dreyer for visiting Bangladesh and remarked, “It is currently the monsoon season — a beautiful time in our country, full of greenery and water. However, the realities of flooding and waterlogging remain. That is why we need reliable technology to ensure strong connectivity.”
Highlighting the connectivity challenges in remote areas, Professor Yunus said, “We have a particular need for enhanced connectivity in the hilly and remote regions, where there is a lack of good teachers and doctors. We aim to introduce online education in 100 schools to benefit students in these isolated areas.”
Emphasizing the importance of inclusive healthcare, he added, “We are prioritizing digital health services to allow people in remote regions to consult doctors online. Their medical history will be stored digitally, which will simplify future consultations.”
Professor Yunus noted that digital health solutions could be especially helpful during pregnancy. “During this period, women often require someone to accompany them to visit doctors. Digital health services can enable them to consult doctors from the comfort of their homes,” he said.
He also highlighted the benefits for the Bangladeshi diaspora: “Many expatriates feel uncomfortable visiting doctors abroad due to language barriers. With digital health services, they can consult Bangladeshi doctors about their health concerns even from overseas.”
Addressing Dreyer, Professor Yunus said, “The small initiatives we are launching here — you could scale them to a global platform.”
In response, Dreyer praised the Chief Adviser’s vision: “You are setting an example we can discuss with other leaders. We will say, ‘If Professor Yunus can do it in his country, you can too.’”
She also appreciated his stance against corruption. “The initiatives you are taking to bring government services to the people are commendable. I travel to many countries and understand how serious a problem corruption can be. Using technology to decentralize services and ensure good governance is a meaningful approach.”
The meeting was also attended by SpaceX Global Engagement Consultant Richard Griffiths, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Fayez Ahmad Taiyeb, as well as BEZA and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun.
