Bangladesh has taken a fresh step to boost its semiconductor research capacity, with two separate memoranda of understanding signed to improve collaboration and use of national laboratory facilities.
The agreements were signed at the Ministry of Science and Technology between the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), the Center of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST), and Neural Semiconductor Ltd (NSL).
Under the arrangements, CREST-approved semiconductor projects will gain structured access to designated BAEC and BCSIR facilities for physical experiments, fabrication, processing, characterisation and metrology. Officials said the move effectively positions the state laboratories as shared national research infrastructure.
The ceremony was chaired by Md. Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Signatories included BAEC Chairman Dr M. Moinul Islam, BCSIR Chairman Dr Samina Ahmed, Neural Semiconductor Managing Director M. A. Jabbar—who also serves as president of the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association—and CREST Convener Prof Mustafa Hussain.
The agreements also provide for joint research, student training under shared supervision, and potential modernisation of cleanroom facilities. Operational control and regulatory oversight of the laboratories will remain with the respective government bodies.
Officials described the initiative as an effort to deepen links between government, industry and academia as Bangladesh seeks to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
Anwar Hossain said the partnerships could open new avenues for industry development and research. BAEC noted its existing VLSI facilities could now be used more effectively, while BCSIR said the collaboration aligns with its push to expand industry engagement.
M. A. Jabbar said the MoUs mark “an important step” towards making national R&D infrastructure more accessible and impactful for semiconductor innovation.
Senior officials from the ministry, BAEC, BCSIR and the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association attended the signing ceremony.