Metro Group
A Bangladeshi diversified conglomerate with interests in construction, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, hospitality, education, and economic-zone development.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Metro Group is a Bangladeshi diversified business group headquartered in Dhaka. The group traces its origins to Al-Amin Construction Company Limited, established in 1970, and subsequently expanded beyond construction into pharmaceuticals, services, telecommunications, hospitality, education, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Its portfolio is organized through a number of subsidiaries and affiliated businesses rather than through a single consumer-facing product brand. A significant early expansion was the acquisition of Central Pharmaceuticals Limited in 1993. The pharmaceutical company had been established during the liberalization of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical market in the 1980s by GETCO Group and BanglaCAT. Central Pharmaceuticals later became associated with several public-market and corporate-governance controversies, including reports in 2017 and 2018 that Metro Group intended to sell the company to Alif Group and allegations concerning share sales by company directors. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and the Dhaka Stock Exchange were subsequently involved in related regulatory developments. Metro Group also developed a substantial hospitality and property portfolio through Best Holding Limited. Best Holding began construction of Le Méridien Dhaka in 2006, and the hotel began operating in 2015. The project was financed in part through substantial borrowing, and Best Holding later issued bonds to address the hotel project's debt obligations. The group has also been associated with The Muslin, a Luxury Collection Resort in Bhaluka, Marriott Bhaluka, and related education and economic-zone projects, including Haileybury campuses and proposed industrial or agro-processing zones. In telecommunications, Metro Group joined Karnaphuli Group and Partex Star Group to establish Sky Telecommunication. The venture introduced Zelta-branded mobile phones in 2015. Other businesses identified with the group include Metro Services Limited, Metro Unitrade Limited, Amin Associates Overseas Company Limited, G2G Assignment Limited, Empori, Bestcom, and CS49. The group has also been involved in major property-development disputes. In 2006, Amin Associates Overseas Company Limited signed an agreement with the Dhaka City Corporation concerning the construction of a twenty-floor tower on the site of a DCC market. Shop owners who were not included in the negotiations challenged the arrangement, leading to a prolonged legal dispute. After a market fire on 3 January 2017, some shop owners attributed responsibility to Metro Group, an allegation reported in connection with the continuing dispute and not established here as a judicial finding. Metro Group's public profile has therefore combined diversified investment with high-profile projects in pharmaceuticals, hotels, telecommunications, and urban development. Available reference material does not establish a consolidated current financial profile, a group-wide public listing, or a definitive corporate website. Its best-documented identity is that of a Bangladeshi conglomerate whose operating companies and projects carry their own brands.
History
Metro Group's documented history begins with Al-Amin Construction Company Limited in 1970. The group later broadened its activities as Bangladesh's private-sector economy developed. During pharmaceutical-market liberalization in the 1980s, GETCO Group and BanglaCAT established Central Pharmaceuticals Limited. Metro Group acquired the company in 1993, adding pharmaceuticals to its construction and services interests. The group subsequently pursued urban property development through Amin Associates Overseas Company Limited. In 2006, the subsidiary entered an agreement with the Dhaka City Corporation to develop a twenty-floor tower on a market site. The project generated a long-running dispute because market shop owners said they had not been included in the negotiations. The conflict remained active for years, and a market fire in January 2017 produced further allegations from some shop owners, who blamed Metro Group for the incident. The available reference does not establish that allegation as a legal finding. Hospitality became another major area of expansion through Best Holding Limited. Best Holding began developing Le Méridien Dhaka in 2006, and the hotel opened in 2015. The project involved substantial borrowing. Best Holding later issued bonds in January 2019 to help address debt related to the hotel's construction. Its broader reported portfolio includes The Muslin, a Luxury Collection Resort, and Marriott Bhaluka, as well as planned or associated education, agricultural, and economic-zone projects. Metro Group also entered telecommunications through Sky Telecommunication, a venture formed with Karnaphuli Group and Partex Star Group. Sky introduced Zelta-branded mobile phones in 2015. This extended the group's activities from traditional industrial and property businesses into consumer technology. Central Pharmaceuticals became the subject of renewed market attention in 2017 and 2018 amid reports that it might be sold to Alif Group. Coverage linked the reported transaction to a substantial movement in the company's share price and raised allegations that two directors had sold shares to the public without informing the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. In December 2020, regulators stopped Best Holding's proposed direct listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange because private companies could not be directly listed under the applicable rules. A policy dispute followed, involving proposed changes intended to facilitate direct listings by private infrastructure companies. In 2021, Central Pharmaceuticals experienced another unexpected share-price increase despite reported losses, while the Ministry of Finance advised four state-owned banks not to seek guaranteed dividends from Best Holdings. The group is consequently best understood as a diversified Bangladeshi conglomerate with operating companies spanning construction, medicines, hospitality, telecommunications, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. The supplied reference material does not provide a complete account of its present ownership, consolidated management, financial condition, or current operating status for every subsidiary.
- 2020
Best Holding direct listing is stopped
[1]The securities regulator blocks Best Holding's proposed direct listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.
- 2019
Best Holding issues bonds
[1]Best Holding issues bonds in connection with debt from the Le Méridien Dhaka project.
- 2015
Zelta phones launch
[1]Sky Telecommunication introduces the Zelta mobile-phone brand.
- 2015
Le Méridien Dhaka opens
[1]Best Holding's Dhaka hotel begins operations.
- 2006
Dhaka tower agreement is signed
[1]Amin Associates Overseas Company Limited signs an agreement with Dhaka City Corporation for a proposed twenty-floor tower on a market site.
- 2006
Le Méridien Dhaka construction starts
[1]Best Holding Limited begins construction of the Le Méridien Dhaka hotel.
- 1993
Metro Group acquires Central Pharmaceuticals
[1]Metro Group purchases Central Pharmaceuticals Limited, expanding its portfolio into pharmaceuticals.
- 1970
Al-Amin Construction Company is established
[1]Al-Amin Construction Company Limited, the historical starting point identified for Metro Group, is established in Bangladesh.
Products and positioning
A diversified Bangladeshi conglomerate combining industrial businesses with hospitality, property, telecommunications, education, and infrastructure projects.
Pharmaceuticals
Central Pharmaceuticals Limited
A pharmaceutical company established during Bangladesh's market liberalization period in the 1980s and acquired by Metro Group in 1993. It is one of the group's best-documented industrial holdings and has also been the subject of public-market and regulatory reporting.
Hospitality · 2015
Le Méridien Dhaka
A luxury hotel developed by Best Holding Limited. Construction began in 2006 and the property commenced operations in 2015, becoming a prominent Metro-linked hospitality asset in Dhaka.
Mobile phones · 2015
Zelta
A mobile-phone brand manufactured by Sky Telecommunication, a venture established by Metro Group together with Karnaphuli Group and Partex Star Group. The brand was introduced in 2015.
Hospitality
The Muslin, a Luxury Collection Resort, Bhaluka
A resort project identified with Best Holding Limited and the Metro Group portfolio. The supplied reference names the property but does not provide an opening date or current operating details.
Hospitality
Marriott Bhaluka
A hospitality project associated with Best Holding Limited. Available reference material identifies it as part of the portfolio but does not establish its opening date or current operating status.
Education
Haileybury Dhaka and Haileybury Bhaluka
Education projects listed among Best Holding's associated businesses. The available source does not provide detailed information about their facilities, opening dates, or present operations.
Infrastructure
Dhamshur Economic Zone
An economic-zone development associated with the Metro Group portfolio. No further development timetable or operating information is established in the supplied reference.
Agriculture and infrastructure
Niloy Agro and Food Processing Economic Zone
A proposed or associated economic-zone project focused on agriculture and food processing. The supplied source does not confirm its development stage or operating status.
Controversies
2018
Central Pharmaceuticals share-sale and disclosure allegations
Coverage surrounding a possible sale of Central Pharmaceuticals to Alif Group included allegations that directors Parvez Ahmed Bhuiyan and Md Rukunuzzaman sold shares to the public after a price increase without informing the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission.
2017
Allegations following the DCC market fire
After a fire at the DCC market on 3 January, some shop owners blamed Metro Group in the context of their continuing dispute over the proposed tower project. The available source reports the allegation but does not establish it as a court finding.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Shakib Al Hasan brand ambassador appointment
Bangladesh
Best Holding appointed Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan as a brand ambassador, giving the group's hospitality business a prominent national sports figure for promotional activity.
Outcome. The appointment was publicly announced; the supplied reference does not document campaign performance.
Brand decisions
2020
Pursue a direct listing for Best HoldingOtherBackground
Best Holding sought access to the Dhaka Stock Exchange while direct listing rules for private companies were restrictive.
Action taken
The company pursued a proposed direct listing and identified issue managers, but the securities regulator stopped the listing.
Aftermath
The case prompted a policy dispute over whether private infrastructure companies should be permitted to list directly.
2019
Issue bonds to address hotel-project borrowingOtherBackground
Best Holding had borrowed to finance construction of Le Méridien Dhaka.
Action taken
Best Holding issued bonds in January to help repay the construction-related loan.
Aftermath
The bond issue was presented as a financing response to the hotel's accumulated project debt.
2015
Launch Zelta mobile phonesProduct launchBackground
The group entered consumer telecommunications through Sky Telecommunication.
Action taken
Sky Telecommunication launched phones under the Zelta brand.
Aftermath
The launch extended Metro Group's reported portfolio into branded consumer electronics.
2006
Enter large-scale hospitality developmentStrategyBackground
Metro Group pursued diversification into property and hospitality.
Action taken
Best Holding began construction of Le Méridien Dhaka.
Aftermath
The hotel opened in 2015 and became a major group-associated hospitality asset.
1993
Acquire Central PharmaceuticalsM&ABackground
Metro Group sought to expand its activities beyond construction and related services.
Action taken
The group purchased Central Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Aftermath
Pharmaceuticals became one of the documented businesses in the group's diversified portfolio.
Recent events
- 2021
Central Pharmaceuticals shares rise despite reported loss[1]
Pricing · Other
Central Pharmaceuticals shares rose unexpectedly in August despite the company reportedly operating at a loss.
- 2021
Finance Ministry advises state banks on Best Holdings dividends[1]
Regulation · Other
The Ministry of Finance recommended that four state-owned banks not seek their guaranteed dividends from Best Holdings.
- 2020
Regulator blocks proposed direct listing of Best Holding[1]
Regulation
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission stopped Best Holding's proposed listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, citing rules that did not permit direct listing of private companies.
- 2020
Central Pharmaceuticals director announces proposed share buyback[1]
Other
A Central Pharmaceuticals director announced plans to repurchase a portion of the company's shares traded on the stock market.
- 2019
Best Holding issues bonds for hotel-project debt[1]
Other
Best Holding issued bonds in connection with repayment of borrowing associated with the construction of Le Méridien Dhaka.
- 2018
Best Holding appoints Shakib Al Hasan as brand ambassador[1]
Campaign
Best Holding announced the appointment of Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan as a brand ambassador.
- 2017
Reports emerge of a possible Central Pharmaceuticals sale[1]
M&A · Other
Reports that Central Pharmaceuticals might be sold to Alif Group appeared in February, preceding wider coverage in 2018.
- 2015
Sky Telecommunication launches Zelta mobile phones[1]
Product launch
Sky Telecommunication, formed with Karnaphuli Group and Partex Star Group, introduced mobile phones under the Zelta brand.
- 2015
Le Méridien Dhaka begins operations[1]
Product launch
The Best Holding hotel project in Dhaka commenced operations.
- 2006
Metro-linked developers face continuing dispute over DCC market tower project[1]
Lawsuit · Other
Amin Associates Overseas Company Limited signed an agreement concerning a proposed twenty-floor tower on a Dhaka City Corporation market site. Shop owners excluded from the negotiations challenged the arrangement.
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