Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) stepped up efforts to position Bangladesh in the global semiconductor value chain through strategic engagements with South Korean chipmakers, packaging firms and research institutions.
The initiative aims to build Bangladesh’s long-term capabilities in chip design, advanced packaging and AI-driven semiconductor systems while helping the country move beyond traditional manufacturing into high-value deep-tech industries.
The Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association’s (BSIA) ongoing South Korea roadshow in Seoul is focused on strengthening research collaboration, workforce development and commercialisation pathways with global semiconductor players including SK hynix and Hana Micron.
According to a BSIA press release, advanced packaging, AI-era memory integration and heterogeneous integration workflows came into focus during a tour of SK hynix facilities by the Bangladeshi delegation.
The delegation later held discussions with SK hynix President Charles Ahn and senior packaging technology executives on potential collaboration opportunities linked to Bangladesh’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem.
Bangladesh’s long-term “Silicon River” vision centres on globally relevant applications, AI-driven systems and advanced engineering capabilities rather than relying solely on supply-chain positioning, Purdue University Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain said in a keynote.
Long-term semiconductor value is ultimately created through products, systems and innovation ecosystems with global relevance, Hussain said while outlining Bangladesh’s broader semiconductor strategy.
SK hynix responded positively to the proposal and said it would internally evaluate possible engagement models and follow-up opportunities involving Bangladesh, BSIA said.
Building a coordinated ecosystem integrating research, commercialisation, talent development and global industry collaboration remains central to Bangladesh’s semiconductor ambitions, said BSIA President M A Jabbar.
The delegation also explored cooperation in advanced packaging and workforce development during a visit to Hana Micron, one of South Korea’s major outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) companies.
A major outcome of the roadshow was the signing of a letter of intent among KAIST Global Commercialization Center, Centre for Research, Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) and BSIA.
The agreement covers semiconductor research, commercialisation, AI semiconductor systems, startup ecosystems, talent development and industry-academia integration between Bangladesh and South Korea.
Sustainable semiconductor ecosystems require stronger links between knowledge creation and commercial deployment, Jabbar said, describing the agreement as a strategic alignment between research, commercialisation and ecosystem integration.
CREST has expanded its international engagement rapidly within six months of launch through partnerships with institutions including National University of Singapore, Taiwan Institute of Semiconductor Research and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Hussain said.
Bangladeshi semiconductor design houses also held technical and business discussions with Korean firms PineS and Synic Solution on design services, foundry support, microelectromechanical systems technologies, sensor systems and future engineering collaboration opportunities.
BSIA member companies participating in the roadshow include Dynamic Solution Innovators, iTest Bangladesh, Neural Semiconductor, Prime Silicon Technology, Siliconova and Ulkasemi Private Limited.
The South Korea roadshow reflects Bangladesh’s broader strategy to build a globally connected deep-tech ecosystem through innovation, advanced packaging, commercialisation, talent development and long-term international collaboration, BSIA said.
