Repositioning the Belt and Road: A Qualitative Assessment of a China-Bangladesh Semiconductor Partnership for Supply-Chain Resilience
Tamim Anaj Romi
*
China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study proposes a China-Bangladesh semiconductor partnership to address global supply chain vulnerabilities and foster mutual prosperity. Amid U.S. export controls, Bangladesh’s 170 million population, 8% GDP growth, and strategic location offer a diversification hub. A $5 billion Chinese investment, supported by $1.5 billion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, aims to create 70,000 jobs and contribute $18 billion to Bangladesh’s GDP by 2040, aligning with the Digital Bangladesh vision. Using thematic analysis of secondary data and case studies from South Korea and India, the study addresses education, workforce, public support, cultural shifts, geopolitics, and Bangladesh’s unique attributes. Findings highlight 78% public favorability toward China, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure readiness, and Indian Ocean access. Challenges like power deficits and government job preferences are mitigated through renewable energy and media campaigns. This partnership widens supply-chain resilience debates for emerging economies, exemplifying South-South cooperation and offering a scalable model for technology-driven development in the Global South.
Keywords: BRI, semiconductor, China-Bangladesh, infrastructure, South-South cooperation