Case 14: Identifying Distribution Partners for World Vision Company
World Vision Company, a Korean exporter of building materials including tiles, sanitary ware, and interior finishing materials, asked KOTRA Dhaka to identify Bangladeshi import and distribution companies capable of handling its products locally. With construction activity and urbanization accelerating across Bangladesh, the assignment focused on how to secure a practical distribution network in a fast-growing but highly price-sensitive market.
World Vision Company
Client Company
Building materials exporter
Partner search
Research Type
Importers and distributors
14
Companies Identified
Final shortlist
24 days
Project Period
Request to report
3
Regions Covered
Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet
5
Buyer Meetings
In-person meetings
Bangladesh Market for Building Materials
Bangladesh Building Materials Market Snapshot
| Item | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Construction market size | $25B (2025) | Up 8% year on year |
| Tile market | $680M | Imports account for 30% |
| Sanitary ware market | $320M | Imports account for 40% |
| Korean share | 2.5% | Of building materials imports |
| Main competitors | China, India, Vietnam | China 50%, India 25% |
| Annual housing demand | 500,000 units | Concentrated in greater Dhaka |
| Infrastructure investment | $15B/year | Driven by public mega-projects |
Research Methodology
01
Distribution channel analysis
The Bangladeshi building materials channel was divided into four layers: large importers, wholesalers, retail showrooms, and direct project supply. For tiles and sanitary ware, showroom sales account for roughly 60% of the market, with Mirpur and Uttara in Dhaka emerging as dense clusters of specialist showrooms.
02
Screening target companies
The team screened 35 potential distributors using customs import data for HS 6907 tiles and HS 6910 sanitary ware, REHAB membership lists, and exhibitor lists from building materials fairs. The search was expanded beyond Dhaka to Chattogram, the second-largest city, and Sylhet, where remittance-driven household wealth supports premium demand.
03
Phone and site verification
After phone screening 28 reachable firms, 20 companies were visited in person. The review checked showroom scale, existing brand portfolios, interest in Korean products, expected order volume, and preferred payment terms. Particular attention was paid to whether Korean suppliers could differentiate on design and quality despite higher prices than Chinese competitors.
04
Final shortlist and matching
The verification process produced a final shortlist of 14 companies: 8 in Dhaka, 4 in Chattogram, and 2 in Sylhet. These were classified into four A-tier large importers and showroom operators, six B-tier mid-sized distributors, and four C-tier smaller showrooms before being delivered to World Vision Company as the recommended target list.
Results and Follow-up Actions
Distributor Classification
A-tier (large importers)4 companies
B-tier (mid-sized distributors)6 companies
C-tier (small showrooms)4 companies
Regional mixDhaka 8 / Chattogram 4 / Sylhet 2
Follow-up Outcomes
Buyer meetings5 (3 A-tier + 2 B-tier)
Catalogues delivered14 companies
Sample requests3 (2 tile + 1 sanitary ware)
Showroom listing1 under discussion
Inquiry received
Search for building materials partners
→↓
Channel mapping
Four distribution channels analyzed
→↓
Initial screening
35 companies in three regions
→↓
Calls and visits
20 firms verified on site
→↓
Final selection
14 firms shortlisted
→↓
Buyer matching
Five meetings arranged
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Case 14 shows a representative approach to identifying building materials distributors in Bangladesh. By extending the search beyond Dhaka to Chattogram and Sylhet, the project produced 14 validated partner candidates and led to five buyer meetings and one active showroom placement discussion. It illustrates a practical, verification-based route to market entry during Bangladesh's ongoing construction boom.
Overseas Market ResearchWorld Vision CompanyDistribution PartnersBuilding MaterialsCase Study
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