Wherever you look, you will see some product, service, or advertisement around you that comes from an MNC operating in Bangladesh.
MNCs are not only top employment choices but also help boost our local economy. They also enable local citizens to have foreign exposure, either through foreign management or traveling abroad for official purposes.
MNCs are on the rise and their popularity is getting stronger day-by-day, as employers and beacons of sustainability and diversity.
Let’s look at the top 10 multinational corporations operating in Bangladesh that have been doing consistently well over the years.
1. British American Tobacco Bangladesh
British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) is considered the top choice as an employer by many aspiring professionals in Bangladesh. Based in London, England, this global tobacco giant operates in over 180 markets across the globe.
The company was initially called Imperial Tobacco. Then after the independence of 1971, it was renamed Bangladesh Tobacco Company Limited. But in 1998, the company changed its name to British American Tobacco Bangladesh.
Popular brands under BATB include Benson & Hedges, John Player, Capstan, Star, Royals, Derby, and more.
The company was initially called Imperial Tobacco, which was then later changed to Pakistan Tobacco Company. However, after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the company’s name was changed to Bangladesh Tobacco Company Limited. Finally, in 1998, the company changed its name for one last time to British American Tobacco Bangladesh, thus officially aligning with the BAT Group.
BATB is in the first position with a total market share of 66.6%. With a total market value of BDT 292.63 billion, BATB is one of the biggest companies in all of Bangladesh.
BAT Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: New DOHS Road, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1206.
- Leadership: Mr. Shehzad Munim (CEO & MD)
- Founding Year (global): September 29, 1902
- Year of Starting Operations in BD: 1910
- Parent Company HQ: London, United Kingdom
- Operating Industry: Tobacco
- Latest Gross Revenue (BDT): 403,792,965,000/- (2023)
- Total Manpower in BD: 1500 (2023)
- Special Achievement/Service: ESG for CSR; Battle of Minds Business Competition
2. Unilever Bangladesh
Unilever is one of the oldest and biggest MNCs in Bangladesh. The global FMCG giant now owns over 400 brands. It currently operates in more than 190 countries.
Some of the biggest brand names in the world are manufactured by Unilever. Lifebuoy, Sunsilk, Knorr, Dove, Lux, Pepsodent, Surf Excel, etc. are some of the popular offerings by Unilever found in local households across the country and the world.
Unilever was initially called Lever Brothers Bangladesh Ltd. up until December 2004. The Government of Bangladesh owns 40% shares, while the other 60% is Unilever’s.
Unilever Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: ZN Tower, Plot #02, Road #08, Gulshan-1, Dhaka.
- Leadership: Zaved Akhter (CEO)
- Founding Year (Global): 1929
- Year of Starting Operations in BD: 1964
- Global HQ: United Kingdom
- Operating Industry: FMCG
- Latest Gross Revenue (BDT): 3,000,464,000/- (2023)
- Total Manpower in BD: 10,000+
- Special Achievement/Service: Acquired 81.98% shares of rival GlaxoSmithKline, Bangladesh in 2020 | 57,000+ suppliers across 150 countries | See more
3. Grameenphone Ltd
Grameenphone is the biggest telecom service provider in Bangladesh. It has a market share of 43.1% as of Q4 of 2023. The telecom giant began its journey in Bangladesh in 1997.
As its name implies, GP always aims to empower Bangladesh’s rural population.
GP is a joint venture enterprise. Its shareholders include Telenor (55.8%), Grameen Telecom (34.2% ), and the remaining 10% to general retail and institutional investors.
Besides the numerous talk time and internet packages, GP offers digital services like:
- Grameenphone include GPAY (mobile wallet),
- MyGP (all-access solution to GP services),
- Bioscope (video streaming service),
- GP Music (music streaming service) | And more!
Grameenphone Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: GP HOUSE, Bashundhara, Baridhara, Dhaka-1229.
- Leadership: (Name of CEO): Yasir Azman
- Founding Year (Global): 1855 (Telenor)
- Year of Starting Operation in BD: 1997
- Parent Company HQ: Norway
- Operating Industry: Telecommunications
- Latest Gross Revenue (BDT): 150,403 million (Annual Report | Grameenphone)
- Special Achievement/Service: Achieved 79.1 million subscribers in Bangladesh; Social Impact | Grameenphone
4. Nestle Bangladesh
With around 2000 brands and operating across 186 countries, Nestle is one of the most well-known and sought-after FMCG brands in Bangladesh.
When the MNC began operations in Bangladesh in 1994, it was a joint venture between Transcom Bangladesh and Nestle S.A. But later, in 1998, it became a fully owned subsidiary of Nestle S.A.
Arguably the most dominant baby formula brand in Bangladesh, this Swiss MNC offers products like Nescafe, Nestea, Maggi, Milo, Cornflakes, Nido, Cerelac, etc.
Nestle Bangladesh Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: NINAKABBO Level 4, 227/A Tejgaon-Gulshan Link Road, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka 1208, Bangladesh.
- Leadership: Deepal Abeywickrema (CEO)
- Founding Year (Global): 1866
- Year of Starting Operations in BD: 1994
- Global HQ: Vevey, Switzerland
- Operating Industry: FMCG
- Total Manpower in BD: 160 (Corporate)
- Special Achievement/Service: Initiatives of Nestlé Bangladesh
5. Japan Tobacco International Bangladesh
Japan Tobacco International (JTI)’s journey into industry prominence began when Parent company JT Group acquired the non-US operations of R.J. Reynolds in 1999.
Japan Tobacco International Bangladesh initiated business in 2018 when it acquired Akij Group’s tobacco business for approximately $1.5 billion. This acquisition made JTI the second largest tobacco manufacturer in the country, following BATB.
Its major brands in Bangladesh include Camel, Winston, Sheikh, Navy, and some others.
JTI Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: 9-12th floors of the Rangs RD Center, Plot SE(F, 3 Gulshan Ave, Dhaka 1212.
- Leadership: Neil Coupland (MD)
- Founding Year (Global): 1999
- Year of Starting Operation in BD: 2018
- Parent Company HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
- Operating Industry: Tobacco
- Latest Gross Revenue (Global): JPY 665.3 billion
- Total Manpower in BD: 46,000
- Special Achievement/Service: Acquisition of Akij Tobacco Business; Let’s Vibe (Promotional platform for Camel)
6. Robi Axiata Ltd.
Robi Axiata Limited, the second biggest telecom operator in the country, is co-owned by Axiata Group Berhad of Malaysia with a stake of 61.82%. Bharti Airtel of India holds 28.18% of the shares and the general public holds the remaining 10%.
Robi kicked off Bangladeshi operations in 1997 under the name Telekom Malaysia International (Bangladesh) with the brand name ‘Aktel’. it was rebranded as ‘Robi’ in 2010, eventually changing its name to Robi Axiata Limited.
The telecom giant merged with Airtel Bangladesh in 2016. This merger was first-ever horizontal merger in the telecom sector of the country.
Robi Axiata Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: Shanta Forum, 187, 188B Bir Uttam Mir Shawkat Sarak, Dhaka 1208.
- Leadership: Thayaparan Sangarapillai (Chairman)
- Founding Year (Global): 1992
- Year of Starting Operations in BD: 1997
- Parent Company HQ: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Operating Industry: Telecom
- Latest Gross Revenue (BDT): 9,942 crores. (Financial Performance Press Release)
- Total Manpower (BD): 1,441 (till 2022)
- Special Achievement/Service: In Bangladesh 54.4 million subscribers till 2022 | First to launch 4.5G services simultaneously in all 64 districts | Robi 10 Minute School
7. Standard Chartered Bank
The oldest and largest foreign bank in the country, Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh, opened its first branch in the country in the port city of Chattogram in 1948. It was initially called the ANZ Grindlays Bank.
Standard Chartered Bank is one of the best banks in Bangladesh.
Currently, it has over 20 branches and 70 booths across the country. Globally, it operates across 52 markets across the world.
SCB is good at winning accolades globally. It has won the “Best International Bank” in Bangladesh at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards multiple times. It has also won the “Best Bank in Bangladesh” at the Euromoney Awards numerous times, among other awards.
Standard Chartered Bank Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: 67 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Leadership: Naser Ezaz Bijoy (MD)
- Founding Year (Global): 1905
- Year of Starting Operations in BD: 1948
- Parent Company HQ: London, UK
- Operating Industry: Banking
- Latest Gross Revenue (Global): $17.4 billion (operating income)
- Total Manpower (Global): 83,000
8. Bata Shoe Company
One of the best footwear brands in Bangladesh, the Bata Shoe Organization was founded in 1894 by Czech businessman Tomas Bata in the city of Zlin, Czechoslovakia (now separated as Czech Republic and Slovakia). In Bangladesh, Bata began operations in 1962.
Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) Limited has two manufacturing facilities – in Tongi and Dhamrai – that help it produce around 160,000 pairs of shoes daily. Renowned brands such as Bata Comfit, Marie Claire, Hush Puppies, Scholl, Nike, Skechers, Power, North Star, Bubblegummers, Ben10, Sandak, Weinbrenner, and B.first are some of its products.
Bata has over 260 retail outlets located across Bangladesh. The brand leads the Bangladeshi market with approximately 40 percent of the entire shoe market.
Bata Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: Tongi, Gazipur – 1710, Bangladesh
- Leadership: (Chairman): Rajeev Gopalakrishnan
- Founding Year (Global): 1962
- Year of Starting Operation in BD: 1962
- Parent Company HQ: East Pakistan.
- Operating Industry: Clothing and Footwear
- Latest Gross Revenue (BDT): 9,855 million
- Total Manpower in BD: 1,107 (2022)
- Special Achievement/Service: Highest Tax Payer for 6th time in a row in 2022
9. Coca Cola Bangladesh
Coca-Cola serves more than 2.2 billion drinks in more than 200 countries each day. In Bangladesh, it is doing business since 1965.
Popular beverage brands include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and Kinley (water). Globally they offer more than 200 brands.
Coca-Cola and its approximately 200 bottling partners and 950 production facilities worldwide are known as the Coca-Cola System.
Coca Cola Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: Police Plaza Concord, Tower-2, Level-6, Gulshan-1, Dhaka.
- Leadership: Sanket Ray (President, India and Southwest Asia)
- Founding Year (Global): 1920
- Year of Starting Operations in BD: 1965
- Parent Company HQ: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Operating Industry: Beverage/Soft Drinks
- Latest Gross Revenue (Global): $43 Billion (net operating revenue)
- Total Manpower (Global): 700,000
- Special Achievement/Service: In Bangladesh Coke Studio | a focus on social wellness
10. P&G Bangladesh
An American MNC with major businesses in personal care, Proctor & Gamble partnered with PRAN Group to manufacture men’s self-care products like Gillette Razor in Bangladesh.
P&G has been doing business in Bangladesh since 1994 but the 2021 partnership with Pran is their first initiative to manufacture in Bangladesh.
Head & Shoulders, Gillette, Johnson & Johnson, Pampers, Tide, Ariel, and many other top brands are owned by P&G globally.
P&G Highlights
- Website: Click here
- Address: Road# 123, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.
- Leadership: Madhusudan Gopalan (CEO, India)
- Founding Year (Global): 1837
- Year of Starting Operation in BD: 1994
- Parent Company HQ: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Operating Industry: FMCG
- Latest Gross Revenue (Global): $82 billion (net global sales)
- Total Manpower (Global): 107,000 (as of June 2023)
- Special Achievement/Service: Innovation | Environmental Sustainability
Wrapping Up
The abovementioned names are leading the various sectors in Bangladesh. They are the most coveted employers for fresh graduates and aspiring professionals. Their contributions to the local economy can’t be neglected.
However, other MNCs are also doing well or emerging as top industry players. We hope MNCs like these set the benchmarks in our local industries, helping private companies to grow and streamline their business operations.