Mitsui’s Asia Pacific arm partners with ACI Logistics

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. has entered into a strategic partnership with ACI Logistics Limited (ACIL), the operator of Shwapno, through a foreign currency-denominated convertible loan facility, subject to regulatory approvals.

The investment will be made via Mitsui’s Singapore-based subsidiary, Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd. (MAP).

ACIL, a subsidiary of ACI PLC, operates Shwapno, the country’s largest grocery retail chain, with more than 836 outlets nationwide.

The agreement was signed on February 25 at the ACI Centre in Dhaka. Present at the signing were ACI PLC Chairman Anis Ud Dowla, Managing Director Arif Dowla, ACIL Managing Director Sabbir Hasan Nasir, and Kazuhide Nakajo, Chief Operating Officer of the Consumer-Centric Business Development Unit at Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., along with senior officials from both sides.

Mitsui, which operates in more than 60 countries, will provide capital as well as technical expertise, global sourcing support and cross-industry experience under the partnership. MAP played a central role in structuring the transaction and will continue to support ACIL’s future strategic initiatives.

The companies said the partnership reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s growing modern retail sector. The collaboration aims to strengthen operational efficiency, corporate governance, supply chain management and sustainable growth as Shwapno expands its footprint across the country.

Industry insiders view the move as a positive signal of continued foreign investor interest in Bangladesh’s consumer market.