Bangladesh, Oman hold bilateral discussion to advance technology, joint research

A delegation from Bangladesh led by Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain met with an Omani delegation led by Said Abdul Ghafoor Saif Udeen, Chief Executive Officer of Star Drones, Innovation Park Muscat, Seeb, Oman, to explore bilateral cooperation in technology, innovation and joint research. The meeting, held at the Secretariat in Dhaka, identified potential collaboration areas including artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, agricultural technology, startup funding, food security and semiconductor research, and agreed to appoint focal points to coordinate next steps.

"Bangladesh has a 'large, young, and productive workforce,' particularly graduates in ICT and engineering disciplines," Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain said during the discussion, underlining the country's human capital as a foundation for joint projects in semiconductor design, robotics and youth training.

The Omani delegation outlined several initiatives in science and technology, notably presenting work in drone technology and artificial intelligence and describing a startup investment fund that provides financing for early-stage innovations. Delegates said Oman is developing its own Large Language Model (LLM) and is placing "significant emphasis on data security," and stressed the importance of Muslim-majority countries building their own technology infrastructure and data centers to ensure secure data storage.

Participants discussed practical applications of drone technology in Bangladesh, noting that Omani operations have used drones to spray pesticides across thousands of acres. The Omani side identified opportunities for Bangladesh to leverage drones in agriculture, pesticide application, disaster management and fire safety. The meeting also explored joint agricultural research priorities, including developing and utilizing salt-tolerant rice varieties and specialized rice varieties suitable for diabetic patients.

• Lead Bangladeshi participants: Md. Anwar Hossain (Science and Technology Secretary), Dr. Samina Ahmed (Chairman, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, BCSIR), Muhammad Ashraf Ali Faruk (Additional Secretary), Dr. M. Moinul Islam (Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, routine charge).
• Lead Omani participants: Said Abdul Ghafoor Saif Udeen (CEO, Star Drones), Dr. Syeda Naushin Parnini (Chief Technology Officer, Star Drones), Bassim Allah Bakhsh Ghulam Al-Zadjali.
• Other attendees included Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, President of the Saudi Arabia–Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr. Samina Ahmed said BCSIR has developed "vitamin- and mineral-enriched nutritious food products" aimed at combating child malnutrition, noting these products could be of benefit beyond Bangladesh, including in Africa and Oman. The Omani delegation additionally highlighted research into controlling the Red Palm Weevil and proposed joint investigations into the pest's potential medicinal properties; Bangladeshi representatives indicated they would consider developing the necessary legal and policy frameworks to enable such research collaborations.

Both sides proposed collaborative work on food processing technologies to extend the shelf life of exportable fruits such as jackfruit and pineapple, and agreed to encourage exchanges of researchers, startup entrepreneurs and policymakers between science parks and research facilities. Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain extended a formal invitation to the Omani delegation to participate in Bangladesh's National Innovation Fair in September, signaling an early public forum for showcased collaboration.

As an immediate administrative step, the delegations agreed to appoint designated focal points to maintain communication and coordinate implementation of the initiatives discussed. The meeting sets a framework for follow-up visits by researchers and entrepreneurs and for concrete project proposals on AI, semiconductor design, drone deployment in agriculture, and joint food-technology research over the coming months.