AGP Executive Report

Japan Technology Ties: A summit in Tokyo put ICT, digital transformation, skilled-worker development and reliable digital connectivity on the cooperation agenda. Japan also projected up to US$6.34 billion in private investment in Bangladesh over five years, with potential for 200,000 jobs. Clean Energy: Australian firms are exploring Bangladesh partnerships in solar power, battery storage and other technologies, as the country seeks alternatives amid energy supply pressures. Brahmaputra Flood Risks: Chinese researchers project rising river runoff and more high-flow events this century, warning that changing conditions should inform water infrastructure planning and cross-border risk assessments—a concern for downstream Bangladesh.

Japan–Bangladesh Tech Ties: In Tokyo, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman sought JICA’s backing for a Technological Village and Innovation City, and urged Japanese investment in semiconductors, ICT, automobiles, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Cancer Care: Bangladesh plans eight divisional cancer institutes and 17 linear accelerators; BRAC University has launched the country’s first master’s programme in medical physics to help train specialists. Cybersecurity: Bangladesh Bank and other public websites remained offline amid a PHP security flaw. A separate warning on garment-sector phone security highlighted how risky app permissions on personal devices could expose sensitive business communications.

Japan Tech Investment: In Tokyo, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged Japanese investment in semiconductors, ICT, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Japan is considering facilitating $6.35 billion in private investment over five years, potentially boosting Bangladesh’s industrial and technology capacity. Cybersecurity: Bangladesh’s cyber agency warned that government and private websites still run outdated PHP software, leaving them exposed to attacks. The alert follows recent outages and cyber incidents affecting Bangladesh Bank and Janata Bank websites. Nuclear Energy: Rooppur’s first unit is preparing to start generating power after completing tests, a key step for the country’s energy capacity. Digital Skills: Bangladesh’s IT exports grew 9% in FY26, while concerns rise over AI’s impact on the sector.

Cybersecurity: Bangladesh Bank restored its website after a three-day precautionary shutdown, but Janata Bank’s site showed malicious activity. Cyber officials warn that public-facing sites remain vulnerable because some organisations still use outdated PHP software. Food and Health: A new campaign is urging warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat, helping consumers identify products linked to chronic disease. Agricultural Research: A BRRI rice garden in Sunamganj lets farmers compare 52 varieties, including short-duration, zinc-enriched and flood- or drought-tolerant options, for local fields. Nuclear Power: Rooppur’s first unit is preparing for startup after tests, marking progress toward nuclear-generated electricity in Bangladesh.

Cybersecurity: Bangladesh Bank and several other banks remain offline while teams assess serious PHP vulnerabilities; officials say banking services are unaffected. Nuclear Power: Rooppur’s first unit has completed its latest tests and awaits regulatory clearance before moving towards power startup. Industrial Technology: Japanese firms see scope to assemble cars in Bangladesh, but local supply chains, high-quality steel and precision engineering must improve. IT Exports: Computer-services exports rose 8.7% to $684 million in FY26, though industry leaders warn AI could put traditional outsourcing work under pressure. Textile Innovation: Rising energy costs and ageing equipment are squeezing mills, prompting calls for technology adoption that improves efficiency—not just investment in new machinery.

Industrial Technology: Japan is weighing investment in vehicle assembly and parts production in Bangladesh, but experts say stronger supply chains, quality steel and precision engineering are needed to build local value. IT Exports: Computer services exports rose 8.68% to $684 million in FY2025-26, but industry leaders warn AI could erode demand for outsourced work. Cybersecurity: Bangladesh Bank’s website remained offline for a third day as teams reviewed critical PHP vulnerabilities; banking links and financial operations were unaffected. Public Health: A national survey found 38.4% of children aged 12–59 months had elevated lead levels, rising to 80.6% near industrial areas. Sundarbans Research: A study found 39% of sundari trees affected by top-dying disease and the forest’s carbon absorption capacity down 15%, amid rising salinity and reduced freshwater flow. Climate-ready Cities: A proposed Tk 87.4 crore project would support 12 climate-resilience pilots in four municipalities.

Child Health: A national survey found elevated lead levels in 38.4% of Bangladeshi children aged 12–59 months, rising to 80.6% near industrial areas; Dhaka Division had the highest rate, at 65.2%. Farm Technology: Bangladesh Agricultural University researchers are testing a low-cost IoT onion store that monitors temperature and humidity; early results suggest it could cut storage losses by 15–16%. Nuclear Energy: A third uranium shipment has reached Rooppur, with six more consignments scheduled by December for the plant’s two units. Biodiversity: DNA sequences from seven Sundarbans aquatic species are set to enter GenBank, creating a resource for research and conservation. Digital Development: Bangladesh won a UN AI hackathon, while the government plans to map telecom dead zones to guide nationwide connectivity expansion.

Nuclear Energy: A third shipment of uranium fuel for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant arrived in Bangladesh, with all nine planned consignments expected by December. Japan Partnership: Bangladesh and Japan are preparing several cooperation agreements for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s October 26–29 visit, spanning agriculture, skills, aviation and environmental conservation. Climate-Smart Farming: Climate-resilient rice varieties helped lift output 8% between FY21 and FY25 even as cultivated area fell 2%. Digital Education: The government plans a Tk 21,900 crore digital upgrade for schools. Science and Innovation: DNA sequences of seven Sundarbans aquatic species are set to enter GenBank, while Bangladesh won a UN AI hackathon. Connectivity: Bangladesh plans to map telecom dead zones and expand nationwide coverage.

Digital Learning: The government has proposed Tk21,900 crore for technology-equipped classrooms, teacher training and practical science learning across half of the country’s secondary and higher-secondary institutions. Climate-smart Farming: Bangladesh’s rice output rose 8% from FY21 to FY25 despite a 2% drop in cultivated area, with resilient seed varieties helping farmers cope with floods, salinity and drought. AI Talent: Bangladesh won a UN AI hackathon, highlighting local skills in a fast-growing field. Biodiversity Data: DNA sequences from seven Sundarbans aquatic species are set to enter GenBank, adding genetic data that can support research and conservation. Science Cooperation: D-8 and COMSATS signed an agreement to strengthen collaboration on science, technology and sustainable development. Internet Freedom: Bangladesh recorded the world’s largest improvement for a second straight year, though global online freedom fell for the 16th consecutive year, according to Freedom House.

Internet Freedom: Bangladesh recorded the largest improvement for a second consecutive year in Freedom House’s global internet freedom report, even as worldwide freedom declined for the 16th year. Water Technology: Dhaka-based Smart Build showcased AI-powered robots for detecting water leaks at a Dubai exhibition, pitching the technology as a way to reduce water loss. Biodiversity Research: DNA sequences from seven Sundarbans aquatic species are set to enter GenBank, supporting access to genetic data on the region’s wildlife. AI Talent: Bangladesh won a UN AI hackathon, highlighting local participation in international technology competitions. Connectivity: The government plans to map telecom dead zones and expand nationwide coverage.

AI and Water: Dhaka-based Smart Build demonstrated AI-powered leak-detection robots at Dubai’s WETEX exhibition, pitching the technology as a way to reduce water loss and improve infrastructure management. Biodiversity Research: DNA sequences from five fish and two shrimp species documented in the Sundarbans are set to enter the international GenBank database, supporting future research on the forest’s aquatic life. Clean Energy: New rules open rooftops, water bodies, tea gardens and other sites to solar projects of up to 5 megawatts, including installations financed and operated by solar companies. Digital Access: Bangladesh is among the new markets where OpenAI is rolling out ChatGPT ads on its Free and Go plans. The government also plans to map telecom dead zones and expand nationwide connectivity. AI Talent: Bangladesh won a UN AI hackathon, adding an international achievement to the country’s growing technology profile.

Solar Push: Bangladesh’s new ordinance opens rooftops, unused land, tea gardens and water bodies to solar projects of up to 5MW, with financing options that let owners install panels without upfront costs. The government aims to add 3,000–4,000MW of renewable capacity before next summer. Research Links: D-8 and COMSATS agreed to pursue joint research, technology transfer and training in areas including agriculture, cybersecurity, digital transformation and energy. Connectivity: The government plans to map telecom dead zones and expand nationwide coverage. Factory Data: BGMEA launched an ESG dashboard covering 326 garment factories, tracking energy, emissions, water use, waste and workforce indicators; the factory-submitted data has not been independently verified. Tech Investment: Sylhet Hi-Tech Park has created about 400 jobs against a 20,000 target, with only two of 14 allotted companies operating amid gas and power shortages.

Digital Finance: BRAC Bank has launched an integrated trade-finance platform to streamline corporate services and automate workflows, using technology from Finastra and Conpend. Connectivity: Bangladesh plans to map telecom dead zones and expand nationwide coverage, while the UGC aims to connect all universities to a digital network within two years. Health Technology: Dhaka University researchers have developed an AI-powered device to identify dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes, offering a potential boost to disease surveillance. Science Cooperation: Bangladesh and Algeria discussed knowledge-sharing and training for engineers and energy experts alongside wider cooperation in science and technology.

Connectivity: Bangladesh plans to map telecom dead zones and expand nationwide coverage. Digital Payments: Bank card numbers nearly doubled in five years to 5.29 crore, while transaction values more than doubled; Bangladesh Bank says the shift to a cashless economy still faces challenges. Cybersecurity: Data belonging to more than 1.8 million Bangladeshis was reportedly found on the dark web, underscoring persistent privacy risks. Health Tech: Dhaka University researchers have developed an AI-powered device to identify dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. Science & Research: A new cicada species has been identified in Bangladesh, while a BAU-developed antibiotic alternative awaits commercial expansion. Digital Education: The University Grants Commission says all universities are to be connected to a digital network within two years.

Satellite Connectivity: Starlink says its direct-to-phone service has connected 11 million people across Bangladesh, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, including users beyond mobile coverage; the figure is cumulative across all three markets, not Bangladesh alone. Clean Energy: Confidence Power plans to invest Tk4,159 crore in 400MW of solar projects by 2028 and raise Tk400 crore through an IPO. Public Health: Bangladesh’s measles outbreak has caused 1,147 deaths, mostly among children under five, as experts point to vaccination gaps and weaknesses in outbreak response. Dengue is also spreading along the coast, where nearly 40% of this year’s hospital admissions have been recorded. Cybersecurity: A report says personal data belonging to more than 1.8 million Bangladeshis was found on the dark web. Local Research: Dhaka University researchers have developed an AI-powered trap to detect dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes.

Digital Connectivity: VEON says Starlink’s direct-to-phone service has connected 11 million customers across Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh since launch; Banglalink users can message and share their location where mobile signals are unavailable. Healthcare Technology: Bangladesh is seeking US partnerships to transfer medical technology, support local manufacturing and train health workers, while improving access to specialised care beyond major cities. Public Health: The measles outbreak has caused 1,147 deaths, mostly among children under five, with more than 202,000 suspected cases reported by October 9. WHO says vaccination coverage fell below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks. Cybersecurity: Reports say personal data belonging to more than 1.8 million Bangladeshis has surfaced on the dark web. Research: Dhaka University researchers have developed an AI-powered device to identify Aedes mosquitoes, which spread dengue.