Electronics industry in Bangladesh

The use of electronics in Bangladesh started in the 1930s through the field of communication with the establishment of radio stations, telephone exchanges and wireless communication. During World War II, to satisfy military needs, the technology of wireless communication was enhanced and the latest technology was introduced in British Raj.

In 1950, consumer electronics industry made an inception in the private sector and a few assembly plants were set up to produce a limited number of radio sets. In the 1960s more assembly plants were established. In 1964, with the establishment of the first television station in Dhaka, some of these plants started assembling television sets. A digital telephone system was introduced in 1983 and mobile phones came in 1992. Before 1980, most of the domestic appliances and equipments were imported, except the one-band radio, but after 1980 many assembly plants for radio, television, audio and video cassette recorders and players were established.

Since 1990, advanced products like computers, cordless telephones, satellite TV signal receiving equipment etc. started to be assembled and some spare parts also began to be manufactured. By this time, a number of multinational companies have set up assembly and manufacturing plants in the country. Local companies in joint collaboration with foreign companies have established assembly and manufacturing plants. At present the total number of such companies is more than sixty. Since 1994, after Bangladesh's integration into the free market agreement, all kinds of commodities including electronic products began to be imported freely, which created a competitive environment. By the 2000s,Revolution started and few local companies began to export locally manufactured electronic home appliances abroad. Walton, Jamuna Electronics, Marcel, Minister etc. were the frontier leaders to start manufacture of electronic goods in Bangladesh. After Walton, many other local companies started manufacture electronic home appliances in the country. Walton introduced country's first compressor manufacturing plant in April, 2017. In 2017, Samsung inaugurated two home appliances manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, in a collaboration with Fair Electronics and Transcom Electronics. In 2018, LG Electronics inaugurated TV manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, in a collaboration Butterfly Group. LG also plans to open a Refrigerator and Air Conditioner manufacturing plant in 2019.

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On 5 October 2017, local giant Walton inaugurated the country's first ever smartphone and tablet manufacturing plant named "Walton Digi-Tech Industries". Made in Bangladesh labeled smartphones made by Walton arrived at market in January, 2018. [16] [17]

On 18 January 18, 2018, Walton launched the country's first computer and laptop manufacturing plant.

In April 2018, Samsung announced assembling of smartphones in Bangladesh in their new factory in a collaboration with Fair Electronics and the factory commenced production of smartphones in May, 2018. Bangladeshi assembled Galaxy Note 10 | 10+ | 10 Lite reached at market in January,2020. They will start full-fledged manufacturing of Samsung smartphones from the quadrant of 2020. [18][19] [20] [21]

On 23 September Another local brand Symphony opened its assembling factory in Ashulia named ‘Edison Industries Limited’ on the outskirts of Dhaka and is planning to set up a manufacturing plant in Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Gazipur's Kaliakoir within the next two years. [22] [23]

In October 2018, Transsion Bangladesh Limited, Bangladeshi subsidiary of Transsion Holdings, started producing smartphones in their new manufacturing factory in Bangladesh. Transsion started producing smartphones by assembling components and gradually shifted to full-fledged manufacturing of the phones labeling "Made in Bangladesh" [24]

Country's 5th mobile factory was launched in October by “5 Star Mobile” brand. Few more companies are also setting up their smartphone factories in Bangladesh, which will come into production in the first quadrant of 2019. International brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, Lava have shown their interests to set up smartphone manufacturing plants in Bangladesh within the next couple of years. [25] [26] [27] [28]

In July 2019, Vivo inaugurated their new manufacturing plant in Rupganj Upazila, Narayanganj, under the company name of " Best Tycoon (BD) Enterprise Ltd ", which is their 5th manufacturing plant after two in China and one each in India and Indonesia. Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo is all set to roll out the first mobile assembly plant in Bangladesh with full foreign direct investment, as international companies flock to the country to make the best use of the favourable tax regime. The plant in Rupganj of Narayanganj will put together at least one million smartphones every year. [29]

In November 2019 Global smartphone brand Oppo launched their new manufacturing plant in Gazipur under the company name of " Benli Electronic Enterprise Co. Limited ", which is also their 10th global manufacturing plant. Chinese handset maker Oppo is all set to launch its “Made in Bangladesh” smartphones in the local market this month as its mobile assembly plant goes into commercial production. This will allow local consumers to buy Oppo devices at reasonable prices and strengthen the Chinese company’s foothold in the fast-growing market.Initially, Oppo plans to assemble its two mid-range sets -- Oppo A5 and Oppo A1K—in the plant in Gazipur and the sets will be available November, 2019.The company has targeted to assemble one million devices per annum. Oppo is the third Chinese company to have set up mobile manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, following in footsteps of Transsion and Vivo. Bangladesh’s recent economic progress and the growth forecast has brought Oppo to Bangladesh and set up the plant, said Damon Yang, managing director of the company’s local operations. [30] [31] [32] [33]

In February 2020, Realme ,one of the fastest growing smartphone brands, announced that it would be launching its products in Bangladesh along with setting up a manufacturing unit. Tim Shao, Managing Director, Realme Bangladesh , expressed his plans regarding their entrance to the Bangladeshi mobile market saying from the very beginning, ‘Made in Bangladesh’ smartphones will be marketed. A factory in Gazipur has already been set up to facilitate this endeavour.” There are more than 250 employees working in three rows to make smartphones in their factory in Gazipur. Besides, the company is going to start the business of more than 10 employees by setting up offices at the Police Plaza in the capital. Bangladeshi made Realme phones will be available in the market from March, 2020. [34] [35] [36] [37]