Bilateral Proposals Cover AI, Drones, and Semiconductor Sector

In a major push toward technological synergy, Bangladesh and Oman held a high-level bilateral meeting on 30 July, Thursday at the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh Secretariat, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone technology, semiconductor design, and joint scientific research.

The Bangladeshi delegation was led by Md. Anwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Omani delegation and representatives from the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SABCCI) were headed by Said Abdul Ghafoor Saif Udeen, Chief Executive Officer of Star Drones, Innovation Park Muscat, Seeb, Oman.

During the session, the Omani delegation showcased their strides in technology, noting their active work on developing a custom Large Language Model (LLM) and enhancing data sovereignty. They also highlighted their startup investment fund designed to back early-stage innovations. Both sides underlined the strategic need for Muslim nations to establish and utilize native tech infrastructures and secure data centers.

Demonstrating agricultural utility, Omani representatives shared how their drones effectively spray pesticides across thousands of acres. They identified immense potential for adapting this technology in Bangladesh for precision agriculture, disaster response, and firefighting.

Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain highlighted Bangladesh’s vast, skilled youth demographic, particularly in ICT and engineering disciplines. He outlined the government’s initiatives in robotics and semiconductor design, advocating for joint research, knowledge sharing, and specialized training programs in semiconductor chip design for Bangladeshi youth.

Beyond core tech, the meeting opened avenues for crucial multi-sectoral research such as Agro-Tech, Nutrition, and Medicinal Research. 

Crop Resilience & Health: Oman showed keen interest in joint studies on salt-tolerant rice varieties and specialized low-GI rice for diabetic patients.

Food Processing: Collaborative proposals were framed for long-term preservation and export technologies for tropical fruits like jackfruit and pineapple.

Child Nutrition: Dr. Samina Ahmed, Chairman of BCSIR, introduced a specialized vitamin-and-mineral-enriched food formulation suitable for deployment in Oman and Africa.

Red Palm Weevil Control: Oman proposed joint research on controlling the Red Palm Weevil pest in date palms and exploring its medicinal aspects; Bangladesh affirmed readiness to set up the necessary legal framework.

Secretary Hossain extended an official invitation to the Omani team for the upcoming National Innovation Fair in Bangladesh, scheduled for September 2026. To ensure swift execution, both nations agreed to designate specific focal points to streamline communication and action plans.

Key attendees included Additional Secretaries Muhammad Ashraf Ali Faruk and Dr. Sayeeda Nawshin Parnini, Chief Technology Officer of Star Drones Bassim Allah Bakhsh Ghulam Al-Zadjali, Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Dr. Moinul Islam, and SABCCI President Ashraful Haq Chowdhury.
//DBTech/AAM/NAM//