Recently, there have been ongoing speculations that billionaire businessman Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, will visit Bangladesh in the upcoming international investment conference hosted by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in Dhaka tentatively in April 2025. 

However, is it really true or just a speculation?

Rumours of Musk's visit have gained traction on Bangladeshi media and social platforms, fuelled by reports citing unnamed sources and the recent visit of a representative from one of Musk's companies to the country. However, no official confirmation has been provided by Musk's team or the Bangladeshi government.

A possible visit by Elon Musk in Bangladesh holds some significance as it will attract foreign investments and further developments about Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, in Bangladesh. Musk's visits to other countries have often coincided with the official launch of Starlink in those regions.

Some also speculate that with Starlink in the pipelines of getting a regulatory approval to operate in India, Musk might visit India soon and in turn visit Bangladesh around the same time.

Adding to the speculation is the recent release of draft guidelines by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) titled "Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh". The 65-page document outlines pathways for foreign satellite internet providers like Starlink to obtain operational licence in Bangladesh.

When asked about a Musk visit in Bangladesh, an official of BIDA said, "It is not confirmed that Elon Musk will come to Bangladesh anytime soon. But we are planning to invite Elon Musk to the upcoming international investment conference if everything goes as planned. Whether he will attend or not is still up for discussions after sending the invitation."

For now, the prospect of Musk visiting Bangladesh remains speculative, but the buzz surrounding the possibility reflects a growing interest within the country for becoming a hotbed for tech-investment.

Read more

How Starlink internet can benefit Bangladesh