Domestic Cosmetics and Toiletries Market Worth Tk350 Billion

A stall at Cosmetica Dhaka on Saturday 9 Aug 2025.

Dhaka, 9 August 2025: Bangladesh’s cosmetics, toiletries, and personal care market is now worth over BDT 350 billion. However, as 90 percent of raw materials are still imported, entrepreneurs in the sector have expressed concerns over its vulnerability to market fluctuations.

This scenario came to light on the opening day of the Cosmetica Dhaka 2025: Concurrent Personal Care and Hygiene Show, a two-day exhibition on cosmetics and personal care held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Kuril, Dhaka.

The event was inaugurated on Friday by Park Youngsik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, and concluded on Saturday night. This was the first such exhibition in the country, organized by SquadMind Global Ltd. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP). Square Toiletries Ltd. was the title sponsor, while Cute served as the gold sponsor and Ingenious Resources as the platinum sponsor.

Malik Mohammad Sayeed, CEO of Square Toiletries Ltd., said, “Bangladesh’s toiletries, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products market is huge—over BDT 350 billion and has been growing in double digits for the past few years. With the impact of urbanization and the narrowing gap between urban and rural lifestyles, we believe this growth can be sustained.”

However, he pointed out the sector’s volatility, “Unfortunately, the industry faces ups and downs because 90 percent of the raw materials we use are imported. This makes us highly dependent on the supply chain, which often causes concern. That’s why we are working to enhance our capabilities by visiting different countries, studying formulations, and learning. Recently, we visited Korea with our advisors, where we saw formulation efficiency and high-quality ingredients. Now, Korean companies are coming to Bangladesh to offer solutions, which is a very positive development.”

He also added that his company is working to introduce new products in cosmetics, toiletries, and hygiene protection, such as sanitary napkins, to meet growing demand.

In his speech as chief guest, Korean Ambassador Park Youngsik highlighted that Korean cosmetics—widely known globally as K-Beauty—rank third in the world in the cosmetics industry. In 2024, Korea exported over USD 10 billion worth of cosmetics to various countries.

He said, “The Korean government is committed to enhancing economic cooperation and expanding trade between Korea and Bangladesh. Cosmetica Dhaka 2025 opens new doors for mutual development and understanding through direct engagement between companies from both countries. Korean cosmetics, trusted worldwide for quality, safety, and innovation, will be a promising partner in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing beauty and personal care market. This exhibition will strengthen business relations between our two nations and pave the way for future joint successes and increased investment.”

This is the largest-ever event in Bangladesh dedicated to cosmetics and personal care products.

Alongside Bangladesh, renowned cosmetic brands, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and health experts from Korea, Thailand, the UAE, India, Japan, and several other countries took part in the exhibition.

The event featured more than a hundred stalls showcasing products, live demonstrations, beauty consultations, skin care expert sessions, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. Industry insiders believe it will help attract new investments, introduce advanced technology, and create business partnerships in Bangladesh’s personal care sector.

S.M. Faisal Munim, CEO of SquadMind Global Ltd., said, “We never expected such a huge response for our first event. We successfully brought together key stakeholders in this major sector. Countries including Korea have expressed interest in investing and collaborating in Bangladesh’s cosmetics and toiletries industry. This is a big achievement for us. We hope to see significant investments in this sector in the future, which will also create employment opportunities in the country.”

The exhibition also emphasized the importance of using quality cosmetics, toiletries, and personal care products, while addressing the challenges of counterfeit and black-market goods. Over the two days, the event shed light on both the challenges and opportunities of this promising sector.

Along with brand representatives, the exhibition attracted influencers, celebrities from various fields, and visitors from all walks of life. On Saturday evening, the event concluded with a cultural program.- Press release