Silicon River: Bangladesh Showcases Semiconductor Strength in Penang
More than a dozen new startups have recently emerged in Bangladesh’s growing semiconductor sector—many founded by experienced engineers returning from the United States, Europe, and Malaysia. Leading institutions such as BUET, CUET, KUET, IUT, and BRAC University have launched their own VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) labs and research units, while a dedicated VLSI Institute has also been inaugurated.
As this institute opens on home soil, the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) is simultaneously presenting the country’s capabilities in chip design, AI-driven chip engineering, and outsourced testing services at an international roadshow in Penang, Malaysia. The three-day event, which began on November 11, highlights how rapidly Bangladesh has built competence, diversity, and a mature ecosystem in this emerging field. Participants at the roadshow are portraying not only Bangladesh’s technological transformation but also the dawn of a new economic diplomacy—introducing the world to the vision of a future “Silicon River Bangladesh.”
The Bangladesh Semiconductor Roadshow was inaugurated at around 5:30 p.m. Bangladesh time by Penang’s Deputy Chief Minister YB Jagdeep Singh Deo, along with Bangladesh High Commissioner Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury and BSIA President M. A. Jabbar.
In his welcome address, Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain of Purdue University and convener of the BEAR Summit elaborated on Bangladesh’s potential and plans in the semiconductor industry. “Bangladesh and Malaysia can collaborate in knowledge and experience exchange, chip design, and verification,” he said. “As AI will handle much of the future workload, we can establish IP-sharing and training partnerships between academia and industry—even create bilateral Centers of Excellence and joint venture labs. Through this, we can develop digital twins for IP and licensing frameworks. We have already begun this journey.”
Several Bangladeshi companies are showcasing their technological innovations at the roadshow: Ulkasemi and Neural Semiconductor are presenting their analog, RF, and photonics designs; Prime Silicon is demonstrating digital implementation and foundry readiness; SiliconNova Limited is featuring AI-based design automation and OSAT collaboration; i-Test Bangladesh is offering chip testing and reliability services; and Cactus Materials is displaying its breakthroughs in power devices and photonics.
International institutions and investors—including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), Invest Penang, Deloitte, Infineon, ASE, TF-AMD, Inari, and Infinex—are closely observing Bangladesh’s semiconductor progress. At the same time, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are engaging in discussions to explore bilateral excellence, chip testing and packaging partnerships, and joint initiatives for expanding the semiconductor supply chain.
