Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has extended a formal invitation to Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, to visit the country and launch the Starlink satellite internet service within the next 90 working days. In a letter dated February 19, Yunus invited Musk to come to Bangladesh and help introduce Starlink, which would greatly benefit the country’s youth, rural communities, and underserved regions.
The Starlink satellite network, owned and operated by SpaceX, is designed to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas worldwide. The invitation follows an earlier discussion between Yunus and Musk, where they explored potential collaboration to bring Starlink to Bangladesh. Yunus shared his excitement about the transformative impact the technology could have on the country, particularly for young entrepreneurs and rural women, who would gain access to global markets and educational opportunities.
On February 15, Yunus posted on social media that he had met with Musk to discuss their plans for launching Starlink in Bangladesh, and Musk responded positively to the proposed collaboration. Yunus had also previously discussed the initiative in a video call with Musk on February 14, in which they delved deeper into the potential benefits of the satellite internet service for the country’s development.
Yunus highlighted that the introduction of Starlink would help bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh, particularly in remote areas where access to the internet has been limited. He emphasized how Starlink’s connectivity could revolutionize education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for millions of Bangladeshis, especially small and micro-entrepreneurs.
The Chief Adviser also stated that this initiative would align with the ongoing efforts of Grameen Bank and Grameen Phone, which have made significant strides in connecting rural communities and empowering women and youth. Yunus said that Starlink would continue these efforts, enabling Bangladesh’s citizens to become “global women, kids, and entrepreneurs.”
Elon Musk expressed his admiration for Yunus’s work with Grameen Bank, particularly its role in poverty alleviation through microfinance. He affirmed his belief that by utilizing technological advancements like Starlink, Bangladesh could achieve further economic empowerment and financial inclusion. Both Yunus and Musk are optimistic that the collaboration will unlock new opportunities for the country, integrating it more closely into the global digital economy.
