The Growing Presence of Bangladeshi IT Engineers in Singapore
Writer: Dr. Mashiur Rahman
Recently I attended an IT trade show in Singapore and was surprised to meet 12 Bangladeshi IT engineers there. I have been living in Singapore for the last 14 years and I often attend professional conferences and trade shows to keep myself updated about the IT industry. In all those years, I had rarely met any Bangladeshis. Sometimes there were only one or two. But in the past few years, this has changed. I now see many IT engineers from Bangladesh, and they are not just conventional software developers. Some are working in advanced fields such as quantum computing, game development, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and fintech.
I enjoy networking with new people, and I started connecting with these young professionals. From those conversations, I realized their story deserves attention. That inspired me to write this article, based on my own observations and experiences.
Singapore’s digital economy has grown rapidly in recent decades and now contributes about 17.7% of the country’s GDP. By 2023, jobs in the technology sector reached close to 200,000, forming a major share of overall employment. While Singapore creates high-paying jobs in technology, it depends heavily on foreign talent to meet demand. For example, more than one in four software developer roles in the country are filled by foreign professionals. This fast growth in digital services and the need for experienced staff have made Singapore an attractive destination for IT engineers from Bangladesh and other countries.
Why Bangladeshi IT Engineers Choose Singapore
From my own experience of talking to young engineers here, geography and culture play a big role. A direct flight from Dhaka to Changi takes only four hours. Many of them told me it is easier to visit home or call family compared with colleagues from further-away countries. The familiar food, weather, and a strong Bangladeshi community in Singapore help them adjust quickly. For Muslim professionals, the availability of halal food and the comfort of a multi-faith society reduce the cultural shock they might face in Western countries.
I also noticed that many of these engineers see Singapore’s technology scene as open and welcoming. At the trade show, one engineer explained to me how he joined a fintech company here and moved into the core product development team within a year. He said in other countries he might have been stuck with outsourcing tasks, but in Singapore his skills were recognized. This matches what I have observed in recent years: Bangladeshi engineers here are not limited to low-value work but are actively shaping key projects.
Skills and Participation in Advanced Sectors
The change is also clear when I look at their areas of expertise. Bangladesh’s own IT industry has produced thousands of engineers, and many of them are moving into global roles. When I spoke to a young developer who now works in a Singaporean AI startup, he told me he learned data science during his university days in Dhaka and polished those skills through open-source projects. Another engineer I met was working on blockchain applications for cross-border payments.
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Fintech: Their background with mobile financial services in Bangladesh, like bKash, has given them practical skills that are now valuable in Singapore’s fintech sector. Several I met were helping companies build solutions for Southeast Asia’s underbanked markets.
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Artificial intelligence and data science: At one event, I met two Bangladeshi graduates who were already working as data scientists in Singapore. They said their universities back home had started teaching AI and analytics, and they built on that knowledge through GitHub collaborations.
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Quantum computing: To my surprise, I even met a young researcher from Bangladesh who is now at NUS, working on quantum encryption. He told me he never imagined he would have access to such labs while staying close to home.
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Gaming and XR: A few of the younger group I spoke with are working in gaming studios. They had started with mobile game development in Bangladesh and are now contributing to VR and AR projects in Singapore. Their understanding of South Asian audiences and mobile-first design was something their employers valued.
These personal encounters confirmed for me that Bangladeshi engineers are no longer on the sidelines. They are taking part in frontier technology fields and bringing with them the confidence and skills shaped in Bangladesh.
Economic Impact: A Two-Way Benefit
When I asked some of these engineers why they chose Singapore instead of Europe or North America, many mentioned both professional and personal reasons: easier travel, cultural familiarity, and opportunities to work at the cutting edge. Their presence is helping Singapore fill vital skill gaps in fintech, AI, and other sectors. I can see how their contributions directly support the digital economy here, which already accounts for a major share of GDP.
At the same time, Bangladesh benefits. Several engineers I spoke to send back significant remittances to their families. Some told me they plan to return after a few years to start their own ventures at home. Others already work remotely with Bangladeshi firms while living in Singapore. This cycle of movement and exchange is more than “brain drain.” It is what I would call “brain circulation.” Knowledge and income flow in both directions.
I also see Bangladeshi IT companies forming links with Singaporean firms. One Dhaka-based company I know works on outsourced projects for clients here. Both sides benefit: Singapore gets reliable services at a lower cost, while Bangladeshi firms earn revenue and experience.
Conclusion: Policy and Future Opportunities
From my personal journey of meeting more and more Bangladeshi IT engineers in Singapore, I can say with confidence that a new Asian “talent corridor” is taking shape. This is not mass migration but a steady and specialized flow of skilled professionals. With the right policies, both countries can strengthen this corridor.
Governments can make skilled mobility smoother by easing visas and recognizing qualifications. Universities can collaborate in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and quantum research. Startup hubs in Dhaka and Singapore can connect young founders to investors and mentors across borders. Professional groups can organize job fairs and mentoring programs to guide new graduates.
When I look back at my own surprise at meeting 12 Bangladeshi engineers at a single trade show, I realize how far this story has come. Fourteen years ago, I could not imagine it. Today it is a reality. With continued cooperation, this corridor can power Singapore’s competitiveness and Bangladesh’s growth.
The rising presence of Bangladeshi IT engineers proves that with the right opportunities, talent from developing countries can shine on the world stage. I have seen it with my own eyes, and I believe this story will only grow stronger in the years to come.
Dr. Mashiur Rahman brings over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, having worked in the USA, Japan, and Singapore. He is currently serving as an Engineering Manager at Omron Healthcare Singapore, where he plays a leadership role in developing engineering solutions across Asia-Pacific countries. Dr. Mashiur is the author of four books on technology and career development and is a regular contributor of op-ed articles to leading magazines in Bangladesh. More about his work and insights can be found on his website, DrMashiur.com
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