Case 16: Tailored Support Service for Yura Corporation
Yura Corporation is a specialist manufacturer of automotive wiring harnesses. To secure a local production foothold in Bangladesh, the company requested a tailored support service from KOTRA Dhaka. Rather than focusing only on buyer discovery, this case covered the full set of inputs needed for an investment decision, including joint-venture and investment partner screening, factory site reviews, incentive analysis, and labor market conditions.
Yura Corporation
Client Company
Wiring harnesses
Tailored support
Service Type
Integrated investment support
6 fields
Research Areas
From market to legal review
45 days
Project Period
Comprehensive assessment
8 companies
Partner Candidates
JV and cooperation targets
3 regions
Site Visits
Including EPZ and SEZ zones
Bangladesh's Automotive Parts Market
Bangladesh Wiring Harness and Automotive Parts Market
| Item | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle market | 50,000 units sold per year | 300,000 including two- and three-wheelers |
| Wiring harnesses | $180M in imports | Almost no local production |
| Major OEM brands | Toyota, Korea Motors, Suzuki | Imported finished vehicles dominate |
| EPZ/SEZ zones | 8 regions | Dhaka, Chittagong, Mongla, and more |
| Minimum wage | $75-95 per month | Manufacturing benchmark |
| Incentives | 5-10 years of corporate tax relief | For SEZ-based companies |
| FDI inflow | $3.6B (2024) | Up 12% year on year |
What the Tailored Support Service Covered
01
Market and demand analysis
Demand for wiring harnesses in Bangladesh was segmented across automotive assembly (CKD/SKD), home appliances, and industrial applications. The study reviewed annual harness requirements, current sourcing channels, and price levels at assembly plants such as Pragoti Industries and PHP Automobile. With total demand estimated at roughly USD 180 million and very limited local production, the market was assessed as offering a meaningful entry window.
02
Investment environment review
The team met with BEZA and BEPZA to verify foreign investment incentives. Companies operating in SEZs can receive benefits such as 10 years of corporate tax exemption, duty-free raw material imports, and guaranteed profit repatriation. The feasibility of locating in the Japanese Economic Zone near Dhaka and near the Korean industrial cluster adjacent to KEPZ was also examined.
03
On-site factory land inspection
Three regions were inspected directly: (1) Ashulia near Dhaka, which offers abundant labor and strong access to the urban center; (2) land adjacent to KEPZ in Chittagong, with better port-side logistics; and (3) Mongla SEZ, where large plots are easier to secure. The review compared land costs, infrastructure readiness including power, water, and roads, and the practical ability to recruit labor.
04
Partner and cooperation model search
Eight local candidates for partnership were identified. These included three wire and cable manufacturers that could potentially convert their capabilities, three automotive parts distributors with market networks, and two industrial park developers able to provide land and infrastructure. Each candidate was reviewed for financial standing, technical capabilities, willingness to cooperate, and management profile.
Findings and Recommendations
Investment Location Comparison
Ashulia industrial areaLabor ★★★ / Logistics ★★
Chittagong KEPZ areaPort access ★★★ / Incentives ★★★
Mongla SEZLand availability ★★★ / Infrastructure ★
Recommended siteNear Chittagong KEPZ
Next Actions
Partner meetings5 sessions (2 wire + 2 distribution + 1 developer)
BEZA meeting1 session on SEZ entry conditions
FS supportLinked to KOTRA feasibility study support
Legal advisoryIntroduced 2 local law firms
Request Received
Integrated investment support request
→↓
Market Analysis
USD 180M harness demand reviewed
→↓
Investment Review
Meetings with BEZA and BEPZA
→↓
Site Inspection
Three regions visited in person
→↓
Partner Search
Eight candidate firms identified
→↓
Final Report
Investment roadmap proposed
Overseas Market Research Case 8: Importer Contact Discovery for Korea International TradingReview a buyer discovery case
Overseas Market Research Case 10: Item-by-Item Market Study for Shinemark Specialty FilmReview another structured market research case
Case 16 is a representative example of the most comprehensive form of overseas market research support. It moved beyond simple buyer discovery and assembled a full decision package spanning investment conditions, factory site options, JV partner screening, and legal advisory inputs to support Yura Corporation's production base strategy in Bangladesh. The heavy import dependence of the wiring harness market, combined with SEZ incentives, provides a strong rationale for manufacturing-oriented entry.
Overseas Market ResearchYura CorporationWiring HarnessTailored SupportCase Study
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