Staff Correspondent

In a landmark initiative to position Bangladesh as a globally connected hub for semiconductor and deep-tech innovation, the National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR Summit 2026 is set to take place in Dhaka on July 25 and 26.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the two-day summit as the chief guest on Saturday at 10:00 AM at the National Museum of Science and Technology, also known as Novo Theatre, in the capital.

Details of the upcoming high-profile event were announced on Thursday by Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain during a press conference held at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association, and the Silicon River Bangladesh initiative, the event will convene policymakers, global semiconductor executives, researchers, entrepreneurs, university representatives, investors, and prominent non-resident Bangladeshi experts to formulate long-term deep-tech strategies for the nation.

Addressing the media, Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain emphasized that a technology-driven economy is key to national prosperity, noting that the ministry is advancing a strategic vision titled "Science to Economy: Building a Market-Linked, Innovation-Driven Bangladesh." He explained that the government's framework relies on four core strategic pillars, beginning with STEM and human resources development through the institutionalization of the Science Olympiad starting from the primary level. The second pillar focuses on research-to-market translation to convert academic findings into commercial products and services rather than restricting them to journal publications. The third pillar centers on innovation-to-market strategies, which include organizing the inaugural Bangladesh National Innovation Fair in early September 2026 and establishing a virtual high-tech science city to support local innovators.

Held under the theme "Building Bangladesh’s Semiconductor Future Through Global Partnerships," the summit will feature eleven plenary sessions and seven strategic panel discussions. Key international speakers include Texas Instruments Chief Technology Officer Dr. Ahmed Bahai and Purdue University Senior Vice President Dimitrios Peroulis. Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain of Purdue University, who serves as the chief architect of the Silicon River Initiative, and Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association President M. A. Jabbar will deliver keynote addresses.

Representatives from leading global entities—including GlobalFoundries, NXP, Applied Materials, SanDisk, Credo, and the Vietnam Semiconductor Alliance and Partnership—will participate in dialogues covering talent development, ecosystem formation, advanced manufacturing, commercialization, and emerging deep-tech trends.

Running parallel to the symposium, the BEAR Innovation Expo 2026 will feature thirty-five exhibition stalls highlighting innovations by students and startup entrepreneurs in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare technology, and intelligent systems.

The grand opening ceremony on July 25 will be graced by Special Guest Fakir Mahbub Anam, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, ICT, and Science and Technology, alongside Rehan Asif Asad, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Science and Technology. Special remarks will be delivered by Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain.