Top 10 Group of Companies in Bangladesh - Business Inspection BD (2024)

Bashundhara Group, originally known as “East-West Development Company” (EWPD), has emerged as a prominent and influential conglomerate in Bangladesh since its establishment in 1987 by Ahmed Akbar Sobhan. With diversified business interests spanning real estate, cement manufacturing, paper and pulp, steel, sports, LP gas, FMCG products, and media, Bashundhara Group now encompasses over 30 major concerns, including East-West Property Development, Bashundhara Cement Industries Limited, East West Media Group, Social Islami Bank Limited, Bashundhara Kings, Rangpur Riders, and Bashundhara City shopping mall.

Established in 1940 by Sheikh Akijuddin, Akij Group has emerged as a prominent industrial conglomerate in Bangladesh. Boasting a workforce of over 70,000 employees, the company has become one of the largest in the country, making significant contributions to both local and international markets. Operating across various industries such as tobacco, food and beverage, cement, ceramics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products, among others, Akij Group showcases its expertise and commitment to quality. This diversified portfolio enables the company to cater to a wide range of customer needs. Recognized for its exceptional products and services, Akij Group has received numerous accolades and has played a vital role in Bangladesh’s economic growth.

Beximco Group, a renowned multinational conglomerate based in Bangladesh, was founded in 1970 by brothers Ahmed Sohail Faisur Rahman and ASF Rahman. With a workforce of over 60,000 employees, the group has established itself as a diversified industrial powerhouse. Notably, Beximco Group holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi company listed on the London Stock Exchange. The group has made significant contributions across various sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and information technology. In the textile industry, Beximco is a major player, manufacturing cotton and blended yarns, denim fabrics, and home textiles that are exported to over 50 countries worldwide.

Established in 1985 by Mohammed Saiful Alam, S. Alam Group has emerged as a prominent industrial and commercial conglomerate in Bangladesh. Operating across multiple sectors such as C.I Sheets, Color coated Iron sheets, Cement, Vegetable oil, C.R Coil, Soya Seed extraction, Public Transport, Gas Refueling Station, P.P Woven Bags, Agro farms, Natural gas, heavy oil, furnace oil, and power generation, the group has made substantial investments in large-scale power projects. Notably, S. Alam Group holds the distinction of introducing Bangladesh’s first private-sector TV channel, Ekushey Television.

City Group, a renowned Bangladeshi conglomerate established in 1972, has experienced remarkable growth and diversification. Starting with City Oil Mills Ltd, founded by Fazlur Rahman, the group now operates in various sectors including consumer goods, foods, steel, printing & packaging, shipping, power & energy, shares & securities, insurance, media, and healthcare. With 40 subsidiary companies and over 10,000 employees, City Group is a powerhouse in the business world. Its impact on Bangladesh’s economy is substantial, with a strong presence in sectors like food, beverage, real estate, and consumer products. The group’s popular FMC brands include Radhuni, Teer, and Meizan.

Initially, Walton started its journey as a local business conglomerate under the name R. B. Group founded by SM Nazrul Islam in 1977. After his demise, Walton has become a company of five brothers. They started to produce and market electricals, electronics, automobiles, smartphones, and other appliances under the name “Walton” in 2000. This is how Walton Group came into being. Walton Group has one of the largest well-equipped R & D facilities in the world. With over 20,000 employees the company has 22 production bases on 680+ acres of land.

Abul Khair Group established by Mr. Abul Khair in 1953, has emerged as a highly respected and influential conglomerate in Bangladesh. From its humble beginnings as a small tobacco trading business, the company has grown into one of the country’s largest and most successful corporations. With a global workforce of approximately 45,000 employees, Abul Khair Group operates across diverse sectors, including steel production, cement manufacturing, consumer goods, tobacco products, and ceramics. Its subsidiary, Abul Khair Steel, holds a prominent position in the steel industry and contributes significantly to Bangladesh’s construction sector. The conglomerate also owns renowned consumer brands such as Frutika, Super Star, and Royal Tulip. Demonstrating a strong commitment to social responsibility, the establishment of the Abul Khair Foundation highlights their focus on healthcare, education, and disaster relief initiatives

Pran-RFL Group, a prominent conglomerate in Bangladesh established in 1981 by Amjad Khan Chowdhury, has made a significant impact across various industries. Headquartered in Dhaka, the company’s agribusiness division stands out as the largest in the country, providing a wide range of products from fresh fruits and vegetables to processed foods like juices, snacks, and dairy items. With complete control over the supply chain through its own farms and advanced processing facilities, PRAN-RFL Group ensures the highest quality for its customers. In the plastics sector, the company manufactures a diverse range of household items, furniture, and packaging materials, investing in cutting-edge technology to guarantee top-notch quality.

Founded by Mr. Mostafa Kamal in 1976, Meghna Group of Industries is a highly diversified and influential business conglomerate in Bangladesh. From its humble beginnings as Kamal Trading Company, it has grown into Meghna Vegetable Oil Industries Ltd. in 1989 and expanded into the manufacturing and marketing of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and commodities. With over four decades of history, Meghna Group operates 36 manufacturing units and employs over 35,000 dedicated individuals. Its industrial units span various sectors, including FMCG, cement, commodities, chemicals, seed crushing, fish and poultry feed, power generation, salt, bottled water, and industrial products. The group has achieved exceptional financial performance, with sales turnover surpassing $2 billion in 2017 and reaching approximately $2.5 billion annually.

Navana Group, a prominent conglomerate in Bangladesh with a history of over five decades, operates across various sectors including automobiles, construction, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare. Navana Toyota, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Bangladesh, has established a strong presence with showrooms, service centers, and spare parts outlets nationwide. The group’s subsidiary, Navana Construction Limited, has successfully executed numerous large-scale projects in residential, commercial, and industrial domains. Navana Real Estate Limited has developed prestigious projects in prime locations across Dhaka and other major cities. The group also owns and manages hotels, resorts, and restaurants, including the renowned Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.

Transcom Group started its operation in Bangladesh in 1985 as a tea plantation company. Gradually they shifted to high-tech production, worldwide trade, and distribution. The businesses cover segments like beverages, pharmaceuticals, newspapers, radio channels, electronics, foods, etc. TRANSCOM has risen to become Bangladesh’s largest media company in recent years. With more than 20,000 employees Transcom Group is one of the oldest groups of companies in Bangladesh and making its mark in 54 countries. They have many sister concern companies including Transcom Electronics Ltd, Transcom Foods Ltd, Transcom Beverages Ltd, Transcom Mobile Ltd, Tea & Rubber Farms, and many more.

Mohammed Abu Tayab and Mohammed Abul Kalam co-founded TK Group in 1972. They started their journey in commodity trading and gradually launched new ventures in the manufacturing and marketing of consumer and industrial products. TK Group is the largest producer of edible oil products in the country. They cover segments like steel, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, plastics, cement, and textiles. TK Group has around 20 major concern companies under its wing. This organization has received several national and international awards. In 2019, it received several “Standard Chartered Trade Awards.” Bangladesh is home to a number of huge conglomerates with extensive holdings in a variety of industries.

Started as Jamuna Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd, now Jamuna Group is one of Bangladesh’s leading electrical accessory and fittings manufacturers. It was founded in 1974 by Nurul Islam Babul, a Bangladeshi pioneer industrialist and politician. It has built a lot of successful businesses in a variety of industries including garments & textiles, print & electronic media, consumer products, leathers, chemicals, electronics, engineering, beverage, real estate, housing, etc. They have more than 20 concern companies under their umbrella.

Let’s talk about another leading conglomerate in Bangladesh, ACI Group Limited. ACI, the “Advanced Chemical Industries,” is founded by Mr. M Anis Ud Dawla in 1968 in East Pakistan. Pharmaceuticals, consumer brands, and agribusiness are the major segments that ACI operates under. With over 8,384 employees, ACI is producing and markets almost everything a consumer needs in their daily life. They are trading 5000 patent products in 10 countries across 3 continents. The products include antiseptics, kitchen care, fabric care, surface care, foods, female hygiene, men’s grooming, baby care, agri-machinery, and many more. The list of ACI’s sister concern companies is long and among them, ACI Consumer Brands, ACI Motors Limited, ACI Fertilizer, ACI Pharmaceuticals, and ACI Salt Ltd are the most popular ones.

We have another top pharmaceutical conglomerate to mention in this list, Square Group. It was founded by Samson H Chowdhury and his 3 friends in 1958. However, this private firm went public in 1991. From health, textiles, and agro-vet products, to consumer products, Square Group is successfully manufacturing high-quality products in all these segments.There are many subsidiary companies under the Square group, and among them, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Square Hospitals Ltd, and Square Food & Beverage Limited are the most popular ones. They have 28,000 employees working for them all around the world.