Pakistan’s Medicam Group eyes Bangladesh industry to tap personal care market

DHAKA, 19 October: Pakistan’s Medicam Group, a major manufacturer of beauty, cosmetic and personal care products and Pharmaceuticals, is exploring business opportunities in Bangladesh and considering setting up a factory to serve the local market, citing high import duties and similarities in consumer preferences.

Atif Ahmed, head of export marketing at Medicam Group, told The Shuttle Times that the company aims to capture a significant share of Bangladesh’s personal care market, initially introducing selected products through local distributors before deciding on a manufacturing investment.

“We have visited Bangladesh to gather market information and survey local consumers’ tastes and preferences,” he said.

The findings have strengthened the company’s interest in Bangladesh, as its survey suggests that consumer preferences in the country are similar to those in Pakistan, Ahmed added.

The company plans to begin with its popular Medicam toothpaste i.e. Medicam Dental Cream and iconic Woodward Gripe Water to Bangladeshi consumers.

Medicam has more than 100 products in the Pakistani market, according to Ahmed, and could manufacture at least 100 products locally if it decides to establish a factory in Bangladesh as a long term strategy depending upon its feasibility.

He said the company was assessing whether a potential manufacturing facility should be large or small, depending on market demand and the findings of its survey.

Local manufacturing could reduce import costs

However, the company intends to establish a distribution network first to understand the market, develop sales channels and assess consumer demand before making a final investment decision.

“We are initially trying to appoint distributors and establish our own sales channels,” he said, adding that the company would export selected products on a trial basis to test their acceptance in Bangladesh.

The initial phase would help Medicam evaluate product performance, distribution requirements and market potential before committing resources to a factory.

If the company proceeds with local manufacturing, it plans to produce a broad range of products for Bangladeshi consumers, potentially expanding beyond its initial offerings.

A diversified consumer goods group

Medicam Group operates across consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, education, and construction and development. Its product portfolio includes personal care, beauty care, healthcare, hair care, oral care, fragrances and pharmaceutical products.

The group says it has more than 2,100 employees, over 1,000 distributors and a presence in more than 25 countries, backed by over 60 years of consumer trust.

Its potential entry into Bangladesh would add another Pakistani business exploring opportunities in the country’s consumer goods sector.

For Bangladesh, the proposed investment could create opportunities for local manufacturing, distribution and employment if the company moves ahead with its plans. The scale of any investment, however, will depend on the outcome of its market assessment and subsequent business decisions.

The company has yet to announce a confirmed investment amount, factory location or timeline for establishing a manufacturing facility in Bangladesh.

Overview of Medicam Group’s Expansion into Bangladesh