Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, revealed on Friday that he has held discussions with Tesla CEO Elon Musk about a potential collaboration to launch Starlink satellite internet services in Bangladesh.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Yunus said, “Had a great meeting with Mr. @elonmusk. We agreed to work together. Hoping to launch Starlink in Bangladesh soon together with him.”
Earlier on Friday, Yunus had an extensive video conversation with Musk, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, to discuss advancing the introduction of Starlink satellite internet in Bangladesh.
Professor Yunus also extended an invitation to Musk to visit Bangladesh for the anticipated launch of Starlink services, underscoring the importance of the initiative for national development. Musk responded positively, saying, “I look forward to it.”
The discussion also included Khalilur Rahman, High Representative for the Rohingya crisis and priority issues, and Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator of SDGs from Bangladesh, alongside Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, and Richard Griffiths, Global Engagement Advisor from SpaceX.
During the talks, both Yunus and Musk highlighted the transformative potential of Starlink’s satellite communications, especially for Bangladesh’s youth, rural women, and remote communities. They discussed how affordable, high-speed internet could help bridge the digital divide in the country, supporting advancements in education, healthcare, and economic development in underserved regions.
Yunus emphasized that integrating Starlink’s connectivity into Bangladesh’s infrastructure would open new opportunities for millions, helping to integrate the nation more closely into the global digital economy. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Musk to unlock technology-driven growth in Bangladesh and beyond.
The Chief Adviser also noted that Starlink would complement the work done by Grameen Bank and Grameenphone in connecting village women and youth to the world. “They would become global women, kids, and entrepreneurs,” Yunus said.
In response, Musk praised the global impact of Grameen Bank’s microfinance model on poverty alleviation, highlighting his long-standing familiarity with the organization and its work. He expressed confidence that Starlink’s technology could drive further innovation, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, during his recent visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a meeting with Elon Musk. In the discussions, they talked about strengthening collaboration between India and the US in areas like space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. PM Modi also highlighted India’s efforts to foster innovation and governance reforms.
On X, PM Modi shared his thoughts: “Had a very good meeting with @elonmusk in Washington DC. We discussed various issues, including those he is passionate about such as space, mobility, technology, and innovation.”
