Bangladesh plans to transform the Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) in Tongi into a high-tech park, with a focus on modernizing technology manufacturing and creating local jobs.
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| The Bangladesh government is reviving the Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) into a high-tech park, aiming to boost local tech manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. Image: CH |
Tongi, Bangladesh — April 1, 2025:
In a significant move for Bangladesh’s technology sector, the government has announced plans to transform the Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) in Tongi into a high-tech park. This initiative, which has already received approval from the relevant authorities, aims to modernize the country’s technology manufacturing capabilities and create new employment opportunities.
Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, confirmed the development via social media on Tuesday. He emphasized that the Telecom and ICT Secretaries are collaborating on the transformation process, which is expected to revitalize the TSS infrastructure and boost its role in the nation’s tech industry.
TSS, founded in 1963 with assistance from German tech company Siemens, has played a significant role in Bangladesh's technology industry. However, over time, the company has faced numerous challenges, including the failure of its Dual Laptop project, which did not meet expectations due to its reliance on Malaysian-manufactured components. Despite having the capacity to produce landline phones, TSS has struggled to advance to manufacturing more modern devices, such as feature phones.
A key issue for TSS has been the allocation of its industrial land to other purposes, such as the construction of a stadium by MP Russel, which has hampered the company’s ability to operate effectively. Taiyeb noted that the current challenge is the need to import various mobile phone accessories, such as Wi-Fi routers, chargers, and USB cables, which could otherwise be produced locally.
Taiyeb explained that the goal of the current initiative is not to immediately transform TSS into a high-tech park but to start by developing it into an effective mid-tech or low-tech institution. This transformation aligns with broader discussions to bring Chinese manufacturing plants to Bangladesh, which would support the creation of local tech manufacturing infrastructure.
The success of this initiative is expected to help reduce the country’s dependence on imported technology, create local employment opportunities, and contribute to the overall growth of Bangladesh’s tech manufacturing industry. With the support of the Chief Advisor and ongoing efforts to modernize the sector, the transformation of TSS into a high-tech park could mark a new chapter for the country’s tech industry.