Japan’s Mitsui & Co. has bought an 18.5% stake in ACI Motors, a subsidiary of Bangladesh’s ACI Group, for $22.75 million. The deal was finalized on November 29, 2024, through Mitsui’s Singaporean subsidiary. Subrata Ranjan Das, Executive Director of ACI Motors, said the investment would come as foreign direct investment, highlighting the growing appeal of Bangladesh’s economy to international investors.

Mitsui aims to use its global expertise to help ACI Motors expand into international markets. Two senior Mitsui executives will join ACI Motors’ leadership to facilitate this growth.

ACI Motors, founded in 2007, has played a key role in modernizing Bangladesh’s agricultural sector. The company plans to diversify into electric and passenger vehicles and expand its rice processing and agricultural machinery offerings. It also hopes to increase contributions to Bangladesh’s transportation and infrastructure sectors.

Mitsui sees this partnership as a way to improve lives in Bangladesh, a country of over 170 million people. The company plans to offer mobility and mechanization solutions while also expanding into retail and logistics. It hopes to benefit from Bangladesh’s rapidly growing consumer market.

The partnership fits Mitsui’s strategy of investing in high-growth economies. Mitsui operates in diverse sectors, including trading, energy, chemicals, food, infrastructure, and IT. This investment reflects its long-term commitment to emerging markets like Bangladesh.

ACI Motors markets motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and construction equipment from global brands such as Yamaha, Yanmar, Sonalika, and Foton. Its parent company, ACI Group, is one of Bangladesh’s largest conglomerates, with businesses in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, consumer goods, and retail.

This collaboration combines ACI Motors’ local knowledge with Mitsui’s global reach. It highlights the confidence international investors have in Bangladesh’s vibrant economy. The partnership is expected to drive innovation, increase market access, and accelerate growth.

Source: The Daily Star