Who We Are
The HSMM Group of companies
A Twofold Goal
The HSMM Group of Companies is 1st biggest Indian Foreign Direct Investment group of companies based in Lao P.D.R established in year 1998. The conglomerate has investments in Agarwood oil extraction facilities, Agarwood plantations, Mining, Information Technology, Perfume and Fragrances. It has mining concessions in Muang Mo, XiengKhouang Province. It has stake interest in Line Of Credit (LOC) projects in Lao PDR funded by the Government of India. It is already working in partnership with an Indian Company on an Irrigation Project for Department of Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR funded by Line of Credit from Government of India.
There are five corporations under it’s wings: Lao Agar International Development Co. Ltd., HS International Sole Co. Ltd., HSMM Mining Co. Ltd., HSMM Fragrance Co. Ltd., and HSMM TransV Technology Sole Co. Ltd.
Mr. Fazlur Rahim Chowdhury, is the Chairman Emeritus of the group, Mr. Habib Mohammed Chowdhury, is the Founder, Chairman & Managing Director and Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury (Sadik), is the Chairman of the Group.
The HSMM Group of Companies is the only Indian FDI Group of Companies that have received the highest honour – “Cross of Friendship Medal” from the Government of Lao PDR. The awards were received in recognition of the contributions to the Socio-Economic development of Lao PDR and for strengthening the ties between Lao-Indian Enterprise in Lao PDR. Mr. Habib Mohammed Chowdhury also received the “Cross of Labour Medal” by H.E. Dr. Nam Viyaketh, Former Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR and present Governor of Attapeu Province, Lao PDR in recognition of his contributions to the Socio-Economic development of Lao PDR and for strengthening the ties between Lao-Indian businesses and entrepreneurs in Lao PDR. The Medals were awarded in year 2013 and Mr. Habib Mohammed Chowdhury and HSMM Group of Companies are the only Indian Businessman and Indian FDI Group to receive these honours during 59 years of diplomatic relations between India and Lao PDR.
Mr. Habib received the “INAUGURAL ASEAN-INDIA EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR ACHIEVEMENT AND EXCELLENCE AWARD” from H.E. Y.B Dato’ Seri OngKaChuan, Minister II of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia in presence of H.E. Shri T.S. Tirumurti – High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, and Dato’ Ramesh Kodammal – Co-Chair of ASEAN-INDIA BUSINESS COUNCIL and Chairman of ASEAN-INDIA BUSINESS COUNCIL Malaysia Chapter at the ASEAN-INDIA ACHIEVEMENT AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS & GALA DINNER on 24th May 2017 at Ballroom, St. Regis Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury Chairman of HSMM Group of Companies received the “OUTSTANDING ENTERPRENUER AWARD IN LAO PDR 2021”award from H.E Mr.Alounxai Sounalad Minister of the Prime Minister Office Lao PDR for launching First Fragrance Brand in Lao PDR.
He also received the “CREATIVE BUSINESS AWARD IN ASEAN YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR CARNIVAL IN CAMBODIA 2022” from H.E Mr. Hun Many Deputy Prime Ministe rand Minister of Civil Services Cambodia. The Creative Business Award is given to entities who are in the creative sectors industries, and who can demonstrate business creativity in their business growth and/or reputation among peers.
Mr.Soukthavy is also a recipient of the “REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH UNION IN LAO PDR 2023” award from Mr. Monexay Laomaoxong, Secretary General – Lao Revolution Lao PDR for 65th Years of establishment of the Laos Revolutionary youth.
Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury received also the “Certificate of Honor in the Participation of the MSME Fair 2023” from H.E Mr. Bountheung Douangsavanh Deputy Minister of industry and commerce along with the presence of H.E Mr. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of industry and commerce. Certificate of honor for the participation of MSME Fair.
He also honored to receive the “Fostering connection among Young Entrepreneurs – Achievement Award 2024” by Mr. Monexay Laomaoxong for his dedication and contributions to the 9th ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival in Lao PDR. This Achievement award is to Fostering connection among Young Entrepreneur.
He also received the “OUTSTANDING ASEAN ENTREPRENEUR LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN THE ASEAN SUMMIT 2024 LAO PDR” witness H.E Mr. Sonexay Siphandone Prime Minister of Lao PDR for ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum 2024 – LAO PDR.
Along with the life time achievement award Mr. Soukthavy also received the “LAO PEOPLE’S REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH MEDAL AWARD IN THE ASEAN YOUNG ENTERPRENUER CARNIVAL 2024 LAO PDR” from Mr. Monexay Laomaoxong Secretary General – Lao Revolution Lao PDR. The Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Medal which is the highest recognition of the Lao People Revolutionary Youth Union in “The Lao People Revolutionary Youth”. For contributing my dedication and wisdom to the 9th ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival in Lao PDR.
Mr Soukthavy also received the “PRAVASI BHARTIYA SAMMAM AWARD,INDIA’S HIGHEST HONOR RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION AND ACHIEVEMENT FOR OVERSEAS INDIANS, AWARDED BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT DOUPADI MURMU IN 18TH PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMMAN AWARD FOR LAO NATIONAL – HELD IN ODISHA INDIA 2025” The first Lao National of Indian origin to receive the award from the President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu witness Honorable MEA Shri S. Jaishankar, Honorable Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Manjhi, Honorabe MOS/EA Shri Pabitra Margherita and other esteemed dignitaries for The Prestigious Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award of this year. Shocasing his he Pioneering contribution in promoting business opportunities in Lao PDR through his various entrepreneurial ventures and enhancing India – Lao PDR Partnership.
The HSMM Group of Companies has a twofold goal: generate income, provide local employment and lift the living standards of people in areas where it operates. This is in line with HSMM’s philosophy that both the company and the people of Lao P.D.R must benefit from its investments.
The HSMM Group of Companies brand is known far and wide for its top-quality agar oil and Agarwood-based products. Backed by two generations of production and trading experience — starting from the heart of Agarwood-making in Assam, India to the center of the rich Agarwood market in Dubai — the company has expanded its reach to various markets in different parts of the world.
The company operates plantations of the fragrant Aquilaria Malaccensis trees that produce Agarwood in Vientiane and Xaisomboun Provinces of Lao P.D.R. Agarwood is the common name for the dark aromatic deposits of resin produced in the heartwood of Aquilaria and some species of gyrinops trees, the large evergreens native to several countries from north-east India and eastwards through south-east Asia and Sri Lanka.
Agarwood is used for important religious, social and cultural practices, and it is sought for its medicinal powers. It is integral to the culture in the Middle East, one of the biggest Agarwood markets in the world, where it has been used for more than 1,000 years.
The HSMM Group of Companies traces its roots in Dubai where it was founded in 1992. It moved to Lao P.D.R in 1998, a monumental decision by the Chairman that set the company on a course of success.
As a commodity, Agarwood is more precious than gold. Its classification (grading), and its value depend on a complex set of factors related to size, resin content, fragranceand colour; and its purity in the case of oil. Pricesvary in different countries. The wood segments could cost between $420 per kg to as high as $100,000 per kg. For oil, the price could soar from $7,000 per liter to $15,000 per liter.
The HSMM Group of Companies operates an agar oil extraction factory in Ban Tongkhoun, Xaisomboun Province, Lao P.D.R. Its oil is 99.9 percent pure. To ensure purity, the company uses one hundred percent steam distillation to remove impurities during the extraction and filtering process.
The HSMM Group of Companies has made conservation and care for the environment its top priorities. Under the supervision of Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury (Sadik), Chairman of HSMM Group of Companies it launched a program to plant one million Agarwood trees in Lao P.D.R. The “Million Trees Program” was intended to replenish the natural forest resources, but its economic impact brought huge benefits to the farmers. The Company has planted 450,000 Agarwood trees. It created jobs and enhanced the economic development of the region with revenues from exports.
The Government of Lao P.D.R supported the growth of the Agarwood industry, providing the business atmosphere for investors to grow and prosper. In this pro-business atmosphere, the HSMM Group of Companies and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR organized the “First Lao Agar Development Conference.” Organizing this conference was the brainchild of Mr. SoukthavyChowdhury (Sadik), Chairman of HSMM Group of Companies.
The conference was chaired by H.E. Dr. PhetPhomphiphak, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR (then) and Head of the Ministers of the Prime Minister’s Office of Lao PDR (now); H.E. Dr. SouvannySaysana, Vice Governor of Bolikhamxay Province; H.E. C GururajRao, former Ambassador of Republic of India to Lao PDR; and Mr. SoukthavyChowdhury (Sadik), Chairman of HSMM Group of Companies. The conference brought together farmers, traders, producers and policy makers. They drafted a framework aimed at enhancing the Agarwood business and uplifting the socio-economic status of the farmers in the country.
“We express our gratitude to the Government of Lao P.D.R. for its pro-business policies and support for entrepreneurs. We commend its efforts of streamlining the process of business registration and documentation, and for creating a milieu for new and growing business to flourish,” said Mr. Habib Mohammed Chowdhury, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of HSMM Group of Companies.
The HSMM Group of Companies has crossed the border to Northeast India to promote trade and investments. It has organized various events to develop bilateral trade and cultural exchanges with Northeast India and Southeast Asia.
As part of its corporate social responsibility, the HSMM Group has been engaged in charity and community-based livelihood development programs. It operates the JF Foundation in Assam, India, and HSMM Foundation in Lao P.D.R.