Creates opportunity for more employments and FDI
DHAKA, July 24, 2026 — The renowned Pakistani heritage wellness and personal care company Hashmi Group is set to establish a local manufacturing facility in Bangladesh under its long-term expansion strategy, citing the country’s favorable investment climate and burgeoning demand for health and beauty products.
The company plans to establish the manufacturing plant after building a nationwide distribution network, reflecting growing investment interest in Bangladesh's expanding beauty and personal care industry.
The development comes as Pakistani companies increasingly explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh's consumer goods sector, supported by an improving business climate and expanding bilateral economic cooperation.
A well-known brand with a history of over 200 years, Hashmi has grown from being a brand of eye care products to that of health and personal care. Originally known for its signature Kohl (Surma) and Kajal, the company now manufactures a wide range of products, including herbal soaps, honey, oral care products, hair oils, herbal wellness items and other personal care solutions.
Speaking during the B-Beauty Tech International Expo Bangladesh 2026 in Dhaka, Hashmi Group Executive Director M. Amir Hashmi said the company has maintained a presence in the Bangladeshi market for the past two decades through exports.
"We have been operating in Bangladesh for nearly 20 years. The current business-friendly environment has encouraged us to expand further and we are now planning to establish a local manufacturing facility in the country," he said.
He noted that Bangladesh's expanding middle-class population, rising consumer purchasing power and growing demand for quality wellness and beauty products make it an attractive destination for long-term investment.
Hashmi Group Chief Executive Officer Saqib Rafay said the company's expansion will be implemented in phases. The first step will be to build a strong nationwide distribution network and establish a local office before investing in manufacturing.
"Our immediate priority is to create an efficient distribution system across Bangladesh. Once the market expands further, we will establish a manufacturing plant," Rafay said.
He added that the proposed factory will initially produce the company's flagship Surma and Kajal products before gradually expanding into a broader portfolio of cosmetics, herbal wellness and personal care products to serve both domestic and regional markets.
Hashmi Group International Sales Manager Syed Nusrat Shah said the company is already working on appointing local partners and plans to establish its Bangladesh office in the near future.
"Under our partnership model, the appointed distributor will initially import a container of products, while Hashmi Group will provide complete marketing, branding and promotional support to ensure successful market penetration," he said.
Bangladesh Economic Association’s Interim Committee Convener Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah told The Shuttle Times that Bangladesh's beauty and personal care market is expanding rapidly, driven by rising household incomes, higher remittance inflows, rapid urbanization and growing consumer demand, making the country increasingly attractive to international cosmetics manufacturers.
He also said the current government is fostering a favorable business climate and maintaining a stable political environment, both of which are attracting foreign investors.
Economic think tank leader Dr. Mahbub noted that attracting foreign investors would create substantial local employment opportunities across Bangladesh.
Former Director General of National Consumers' Right Protection Directorate AHM Shafiquzzaman said that Bangladesh's cosmetics and beauty products market has emerged as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), driven by rising consumer spending and rapid urbanization.
Consumer Association of Bangladesh Vice President S M Nazer Hossain said the participation of multiple Pakistani manufacturers reflects growing commercial engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
He added that as companies explore local manufacturing, distributorships and joint ventures, Bangladesh's expanding beauty industry could become an important destination for Pakistani cosmetics exports and bilateral investment.
Local manufacturing by international wellness and cosmetics brands could create jobs, facilitate technology transfer, and reduce import dependence in Bangladesh's fast-growing beauty and personal care sector, industry observers believe.
Hashmi Group’s investment interest reflects growing commercial engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, with businesses in both nations seeking to deepen cooperation in pharmaceuticals, wellness, cosmetics and consumer goods under improving market conditions.
Industry analysts believe Hashmi Group's proposed investment reflects Bangladesh's growing appeal as a regional manufacturing hub for beauty and wellness products. If implemented, the project could encourage additional Pakistani consumer goods companies to establish production facilities in Bangladesh, strengthening bilateral trade and foreign direct investment.
