"Silicon River" Goes Global: Top 10 University Innovators to Lead Bangladesh's CES Debut
Convergence of five emerging technologies took center stage on Saturday morning at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially inaugurated the landmark "National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR Summit 2026" at 10:01 AM.
The grand opening of one of the nation's largest technology gatherings commenced as delegates and international guests gave a standing ovation to the Prime Minister upon his arrival on stage. The proceedings opened with an instrumental rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by a soaring visual display of the national flag across a massive digital backdrop, followed by solemn recitations from the sacred texts of four major religions.
Presenting a bold strategic vision during the inaugural session, Chief Architect Mostafa Hossain unveiled a blueprint to transform riverine Bangladesh into a tech powerhouse dubbed the "Silicon River," drawing inspiration from California's Silicon Valley.
Highlighting the innovative prowess of the nation's youth, Hossain announced that Bangladesh will make its historic debut at the world-renowned Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA, scheduled for January 6–9 next year. Ten elite young innovators selected from seven universities—who have been engaged in intensive research over the past 18 months—will represent the country on the global stage.
Addressing the audience as a special guest, Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain emphasized that technological capability is now the primary driver of national power and economic resilience.
"In today's world, technology forms the core foundation of a nation's capacity and economy," Secretary Hossain noted. "Therefore, we are shifting our focus away from keeping research confined within academic papers and publications toward active commercialization. As part of this initiative, a National Innovation Fair will be hosted this coming August."
The ceremony featured an engaging visual documentary depicting Bangladesh's journey in the semiconductor industry since 2017 alongside its future roadmap. In his welcome address, BSIA President M. A. Jabbar strongly advocated for continuous policy support and strategic international partnerships from the government to position Bangladesh as a competitive leader in the global innovation landscape.
The inaugural session was also attended by Minister for Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapan, ICT Division Advisor Rehan Asad, and Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain as special guests.
// DB Tech / IH / SME //
