SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer has praised the swift and coordinated efforts of the Bangladesh government for enabling the successful launch of Starlink services in the country.

Speaking during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Friday, Dreyer said, “We operate in 150 countries and territories. We have never seen such efficiency and decisiveness. On behalf of all my colleagues at SpaceX, I extend our appreciation to you. We look forward to working closely with your team.”

In response, Professor Yunus welcomed the SpaceX delegation and expressed his gratitude for their visit during Bangladesh’s monsoon season. “There is greenery and water everywhere, but also challenges like flooding and waterlogging. These highlight the need for dependable technology to maintain connectivity,” he said.

He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced internet access in remote hill tracts, where essential services such as schools, teachers, and doctors are scarce. “We’ve set a goal to introduce online education in 100 schools to benefit students in these isolated areas,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive digital healthcare, Professor Yunus added, “We’re prioritizing online medical services, especially for pregnant women who may face barriers to in-person consultations. This initiative will allow them to consult doctors from home, with medical histories stored digitally.”

He also noted the benefit of digital health services for Bangladeshi expatriates. “Many hesitate to visit doctors abroad due to language issues. This system will allow them to consult Bangladeshi doctors online from anywhere,” he explained. “We are starting small, but these initiatives can be scaled globally.”

Lauren Dreyer commended the adviser’s visionary approach, saying, “The example you’re setting here can inspire leaders worldwide. If Professor Yunus can do it in Bangladesh, others can too.”

She also praised ongoing efforts to fight corruption and improve governance through digital means. “Your initiatives to ensure public services reach the people are highly commendable. I’ve seen firsthand how serious corruption can be. Using technology to decentralize services is a powerful strategy,” she said.

The meeting was attended by Richard Griffiths, Global Engagement Consultant of SpaceX; National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman; Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and IT, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb; and Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.

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