Bangladesh delegation, Silicon Valley leaders discuss technology partnerships

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles organised the Bangladesh–Silicon Valley Technology Dialogue on Sunday at Cedar Hall, Stanford University, under the theme “Technology, Talent and Partnerships for Bangladesh’s Future.”

A special delegation sent by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met technology professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors, including members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. 

Consul General Kazi Muhammad Jabed Iqbal welcomed participants and conducted the proceedings. Tareq Md Ariful Islam, ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, also addressed the dialogue.

The delegation comprised Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the prime minister for finance and planning; Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for foreign affairs; Rehan Asif Asad, adviser to the prime minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology, and science and technology; and Bobby Hajjaj, state minister for primary and mass education.

Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, associate professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto; Sharifa Sultana, assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Mohammad Kamrul Islam, distinguished engineer at Uber; and Mostofa Patwary, a researcher at NVIDIA, presented on applications of AI for Bangladesh. Mahbub Rashed of GlobalFoundries presented on semiconductor industry and ecosystem development.

Saif Islam, professor and chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Davis, moderated a panel discussion on talent, technology and capital. 

The panel included Adviser Rehan Asif Asad; Shatil Haque of Credo Semiconductor; Yusuf Haque, co-founder and chief technology officer of Exo; Omar Ishrak, former chief executive officer of Medtronic and former chair of Intel’s Board of Directors; Mohammed Enayetur Rahman, chief executive officer and president of UlkaSemi; and Badrul Sarwar, co-founder and chief technology officer of CloudAEye. Participants discussed research, workforce development, industry partnerships and access to investment.

Adviser Rehan Asif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Bangladesh’s technology sector through stronger links among research, education, startups and industry. 

Citing recent initiatives, including the BAER Summit, he emphasised the need to turn Bangladesh’s growing technical talent into opportunities for innovation, investment and skilled employment.

State Minister Shama Obaed highlighted the achievements of Bangladeshi professionals in the global technology industry and the importance of sustained engagement with their networks. 

She identified science and technology diplomacy as foreign policy priorities, with a focus on technology transfer, workforce development and stronger links between Bangladeshi institutions and the United States’ research and innovation ecosystem. 

She noted that such cooperation should help address practical needs in Bangladesh, including agriculture and food security.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj emphasised that children need strong foundational learning alongside the digital skills required for a changing economy. 

He called for practical teacher training, appropriate use of technology and AI in classrooms, and wider access to quality learning materials, including for students in underserved communities. 

He also highlighted the value of testing approaches that improve learning outcomes before expanding them across the education system.

In his concluding remarks, Adviser Titumir said that Bangladesh would assess how fiscal policy, investment planning and public institutions can support technology-led industry and skilled employment. 

He urged participants to identify feasible projects, responsible counterparts and clear next steps. 

He emphasised that cooperation should ultimately improve public services and create opportunities for the people of Bangladesh.

The Consulate General will work with the delegation and interested participants to identify specific areas for continued discussion and cooperation.