DHAKA, Aug 06, 2026 (BSS)-  Aimed at accelerating development of semiconductor industry in the country the government is mulling introduce incentive facilities for this sector similar to ready-made garments (RMG).

Talking to BSS, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) Fazlur Rahman said the government has designated the semiconductor sector as a strategic one and tasked the authorities for its development through supportive policies and investment promotion.

The proposed policy package would include facilities similar to the RMG sector's bonded warehouse system, enabling export-oriented semiconductor manufacturers to import raw materials duty-free, thereby improving Bangladesh's competitiveness, he said. 

The government seeks to make position for Bangladesh as a competitive player in the global chip value chain, he added.

Hi-tech Park MD said semiconductor manufacturing is highly capital-intensive, requiring advanced technology, substantial investment and targeted policy support. 

“So, we are working to ensure a business-friendly environment for the sector,” he said adding the government is reviewing additional measures to make Hi-Tech Parks more attractive for semiconductor investments.

To address the shortage of skilled manpower, Fazlur Rahman said, the BHTPA is preparing a specialised training programme on semiconductor design in consultation with industry stakeholders to develop internationally competitive talents.

He mentioned that the authority is also supporting startups and freelancers through free workspace and technical assistance at its IT centres, while reaching out to Bangladeshi semiconductor professionals working abroad to contribute to the country's emerging chip industry.

Fazlur Rahman, however, described that the government's broader strategy aims to establish a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem encompassing chip design, testing, packaging and advanced manufacturing through fiscal incentives, research, skill development, international collaboration and investment promotion.

As part of that initiative, he informed that the government has already announced extensive customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions on imports of capital machinery, equipment, software and raw materials required for semiconductor manufacturing, integrated circuit (IC) design, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT), packaging and fabrication.

Managing Director of the iTest Bangladesh Limited Munir Ahmed said Bangladesh has the potential to become a competitive player in the global semiconductor market by initially focusing on chip design and semiconductor testing before expanding into OSAT activities.

He said semiconductor-focused roadshows in Seoul and the United States this year successfully showcased Bangladesh's capacity to leading global companies, including SK Hynix, Intel, AMD, GlobalFoundries, Synopsys, Sandisk, ARM and CREDO, generating strong international interests.

The iTest chief, also director of the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), said Bangladesh could further accelerate sectoral development by leveraging the expertise of Bangladeshi semiconductor professionals working abroad through the BSIAs ‘brain gain’ initiative.

Internationally recognised institutions like KAIST, Arizona State University (ASU) and Purdue University, have expressed interest in establishing long-term collaboration with BSIA following the roadshows, he added.

He said iTest Bangladesh, country’s first and premier semiconductor IC test center with specialized facility for silicon chip testing can play a key role in developing the country's semiconductor ecosystem.

He stressed that building a robust semiconductor ecosystem, ensuring policy continuity and offering competitive incentives similar to India's Semiconductor Mission would be essential to attracting major global semiconductor companies.

He hoped that Bangladesh's large youth population and growing number of ICT and engineering graduates could provide the skilled workforce required for the around $44 billion global industry with appropriate specialised training.