SpaceX technical launch in Bangladesh by May, vice-president tells CA Yunus

Lauren Dreyer, vice-president for Global Engagement at SpaceX, met Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit in Doha today (23 April).

Their discussion centred on the final stages of the collaboration that is set to bring SpaceX satellite services to Bangladesh, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir said.

Dreyer, who has worked alongside Elon Musk for the past two decades, conveyed optimism about the partnership's progress.

"We're very close to the finish line. I've asked my team to be fully ready for a technical launch by May," she said.

During the meeting, Chief Adviser Yunus expressed national excitement about the development.

"It's big news in Bangladesh. People are counting down the days," he told Dreyer. "And when the time comes, it has to be a big celebration."

This collaboration is expected to start with a technical rollout before moving to full deployment, pending resolution of a few final issues.

PayPal which was also founded by Elon Musk is also being explored to support digital transactions related to SpaceX's operations in Bangladesh.

"From the outset, this has been one of the most streamlined and well-organised initiatives we've been part of," said Lauren Dreyer to Muhammad Yunus.

Senior officials, including Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were present at the meeting.