Let’s talk about the top 10 MNC Bangladesh has to offer.
Top 10 Multinational Companies (MNC) in Bangladesh 2023
The term “Multinational” refers to companies operating in multiple countries. This article discusses the top 10 multinational companies in Bangladesh, such as Unilever, Nestle, Chevron, Siemens, and BAT.
Multinational companies, often called MNCs, expand beyond their home country to establish offices and branches in various nations for producing and offering products or services.
In the following sections, we’ll present a comprehensive list of these influential multinational companies operating in Bangladesh’s business landscape. We’ll explore the prominent MNCs that Bangladesh currently hosts.
| Multinational Company | Brands / Products |
|---|---|
| Unilever Bangladesh | Lifebuoy, Sun Silk, Dove, Lux, Close up, Pepsodent, and more |
| Nestle Bangladesh | CERELAC, NESTLÉ EVERYDAY, MAGGI, NESCAFÉ, and more |
| British American Tobacco | Benson & Hedges, John Player, Capstan, and more |
| Chevron Bangladesh | Domestic condensate production |
| Grameenphone Ltd. | GPAY, MyGP, Bioscope, GP Music, and more |
| Standard Chartered Bank | Banking and financial services |
| Bata Shoes | Bata, Ambassador, B-First, BubbleGummers, and more |
| P&G Bangladesh | Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, and more |
| Coca Cola Bangladesh | Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Kinley, and more |
| Ericsson | Networking and telecommunications solutions |
Unilever Bangladesh
Unilever Bangladesh Limited, based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was initially named “Lever Brothers Bangladesh Limited” when it was established in 1964. It is a significant consumer goods company formed as a joint venture between the Government of Bangladesh and Unilever. Unilever holds a 60.4% stake in the company, while the Government of Bangladesh maintains 39.6% ownership.
Unilever is globally recognized, boasting a vast portfolio of 400 brands available in over 190 countries. The company, with its 160,000+ employees, reaches approximately 98% of the Bangladeshi population, impacting the lives of an astonishing 2.5 billion individuals daily. Unilever proudly owns 13 of the world’s top 50 brands.
Some of the well-known Unilever brands in Bangladesh include Lifebuoy, Sun Silk, Dove, Lux, Close up, Pepsodent, Surf Excel, Vim, Sunlight, Rin Power White, Fair and Lovely Advanced Multivitamin, and Clear, among others.
Nestle Bangladesh
Nestle is a Swiss multinational company focused on food and beverages. It was founded in 1866 in Vevey, Switzerland, by Henri Nestle and is currently the world’s largest food company. Nestle operates in 191 countries and owns 2,000 different brands. They have a global workforce of approximately 352,000 employees, and their guiding vision is “Good Food, Good Life.”
Nestle entered Bangladesh in 1992 and currently has 160 dedicated employees in the country. Some of their well-known brands in Bangladesh include CERELAC, NESTLÉ EVERYDAY, NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH, LACTOGEN, MAGGI, NESCAFÉ, and NESTLÉ NIDO. Nestle Bangladesh has set an ambitious goal to achieve zero environmental impact in their operations by 2030.
British American Tobacco Bangladesh
British American Tobacco, commonly known as BAT, is a highly regarded employer in Bangladesh. This tobacco giant is based in London, England, and operates in over 180 countries worldwide.
In Bangladesh, BAT oversees several well-known cigarette brands, including Benson & Hedges, John Player, Capstan, Star, Royals, Derby, Lucky Strike, Pilot, and Hollywood. Although many associate the company’s start with 1947, its origins can be traced back to as early as 1910.
The company’s journey began as Imperial Tobacco, later becoming the Pakistan Tobacco Company. After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, it adopted the name Bangladesh Tobacco Company Limited. Finally, in 1998, it became British American Tobacco Bangladesh, officially aligning with the BAT Group.
Currently, BATB holds a leading position in the market, with a significant market share of 66.6%. With a total market value of BDT 292.63 billion, BATB is among Bangladesh’s largest corporations. Their headquarters are located on New DOHS Road, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1206.
Chevron Bangladesh
Chevron is the world’s largest producer of natural oil and gas, with origins dating back to 1879. This global company operates in over 180 countries and is headquartered in San Ramon, California, USA. They have around 51,900 employees worldwide.
Chevron plays a significant role in producing about 85% of domestic condensate, a liquid derived from natural gas. They are involved in all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry, including exploration, production, refining, marketing, transportation, chemical production, distribution, and power generation.
In Bangladesh, Chevron started its operations in 1995. In the country, they manage three important gas fields: Bibiyana, Jalalabad, and Moulavi Bazar, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh.
Since 2006, Chevron has been actively supporting social investment programs, demonstrating their commitment to the local community’s well-being. One of Chevron’s core values is a strong commitment to “safety and operational excellence.”
Grameenphone Ltd.
Grameenphone Ltd. is one of Bangladesh’s largest telecom service providers, deeply embedded in the nation’s collective consciousness. It began its journey on March 26, 1997, with a mission to empower rural Bangladesh.
An interesting aspect of Grameenphone is its logo, which resembles that of Telenor, a leading global cellphone network provider. This resemblance is not accidental, as Telenor owns 55.8% of Grameenphone, with Grameen Telecom holding about 34.2%. As of October 2021, Grameenphone holds a substantial market share of around 46.39%, making it the country’s top telecom service provider.
Grameenphone offers a wide range of digital services, including GPAY (a mobile wallet), MyGP (a comprehensive GP service solution), Bioscope (a video streaming service), and GP Music (a music streaming service). Their headquarters are located at GP HOUSE, Bashundhara, Baridhara, Dhaka-1229.
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh, the country’s oldest and largest foreign bank, has maintained a legacy of excellence for over a century since its inception in 1905.
The bank first arrived in Bangladesh by opening its initial branch in Chittagong in 1948. Over time, it has expanded to include 24 branches and 96 booths across the nation. Known for its expertise in foreign currencies and treasury instruments, Standard Chartered Bank consistently offers competitive rates to its customers.
In 2009, the bank introduced Islamic banking services in accordance with Shariah principles. These services include Shariah-compliant savings and deposit accounts, investment accounts, and trade finance. Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh has earned recognition for its innovation and customer service, including the prestigious Best Digital Bank Award in Bangladesh in 2020.
As a prominent international bank, Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh remains dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Bangladesh’s economy. Through its wide range of services and proactive initiatives, the bank actively contributes to the nation’s progress. Its enduring presence and commitment underscore its crucial role in the country’s prosperity and advancement.
Bata Shoes
Bata, often associated with being a Bangladeshi shoe manufacturer, actually originated in Zlin, Czech Republic. The company’s presence in Bangladesh began in 1962 when they established a factory in East Pakistan.
A remarkable aspect of Bata’s history is its involvement during the liberation war. William A. S. Ouderland, the CEO of Bata Bangladesh at the time, played a significant role in supporting the Mukti Bahini. He provided essential information about Pakistani operations and secretly supplied food, medicine, and weapons to the freedom fighters from a hidden camp near the Bata Tongi factory.
Today, Bata holds a market valuation of $125 million and commands a substantial 40 percent share of Bangladesh’s shoe market, making it the country’s largest shoe manufacturer. Bata’s portfolio includes popular brands like Bata, Ambassador, B-First, Ballerina, BubbleGummers, Comfit, Insolia, Marie Claire, North Star, Pata Pata, Power, Red Label, and Weinbrenner. They operate from Tongi Gazipur, Bangladesh, with numerous outlets and factories across the nation.
P&G Bangladesh
Brands like Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Old Spice, Pantene, Crest, Oral-B, and Vicks are well-known household names in Bangladesh, highlighting the significant presence of Procter & Gamble (P&G) in the market. P&G, the American multinational corporation renowned for its personal care products, ranks among the world’s largest consumer goods companies. It has been operating in Bangladesh since 1994, making a lasting impact on the nation’s market.
Notably, P&G collaborates with PRAN Group to manufacture grooming products like the Gillette Guard Razor in Bangladesh. This partnership demonstrates P&G’s commitment to investing in Bangladesh, contributing to the country’s social and economic development by creating job opportunities and fostering collaboration.
P&G’s office is located at Road# 123, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, serving as a central hub for their operations in the country.
Coca Cola Bangladesh
Coca-Cola, the well-known global beverage giant, has had a significant presence in Bangladesh since 1965 and is considered one of the leading beverage companies in the country. They produce popular drinks like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and Kinley, known for their quality and trustworthiness among the people of Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, Coca-Cola has established a wide network of over 750,000 retailers and 20,000 distributors, ensuring that their products are readily available. The company places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and actively works to reduce its carbon footprint. Additionally, Coca-Cola is committed to community improvement by providing clean water to needy areas and supporting educational initiatives.
Coca-Cola’s dedication to social responsibility has been recognized, with awards like the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the Bangladesh Business Awards in 2018. With a focus on innovation and environmental sustainability, Coca-Cola continues to be a significant and influential player in Bangladesh’s beverage industry.
Ericsson
Ericsson, a prominent Swedish multinational corporation specializing in networking and telecommunications, is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded by Lars Magnus Ericsson in 1876, the company has a rich history.
Ericsson has a global workforce of about 95,000 employees, operating in 180 countries. It holds an impressive portfolio of over 49,000 granted patents, particularly in wireless communications. The company offers mobile and fixed broadband networks, consulting, managed services, and TV and multimedia technology.
In 1997, Ericsson began its operations in Bangladesh, contributing significantly to the country’s telecommunications advancement. Ericsson played a crucial role in introducing 2G and 3G technologies to Bangladesh. In 2017, the company celebrated its 20th anniversary in Bangladesh, showcasing ICT innovations such as 5G, digital services, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
These are the top 10 multinational companies in Bangladesh you should know about.