Khalilur Rahman, the Founder and Chairman of KDS Group, has been elected as the new President of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA), a key platform representing the country’s private off-dock sector that plays a crucial role in facilitating Bangladesh’s export-import logistics.
He officially assumed office on 2nd July, following the resignation of former president Nurul Qayyum Khan, who stepped down citing health concerns. The decision to elect Rahman was made during BICDA’s general meeting, where he received unanimous support from the members present and the wider majority of the association’s membership.
BICDA represents the country’s private inland container depots (ICDs), which handle nearly 100 per cent of Bangladesh’s export cargo and a substantial portion of its import containers outside the congested Chattogram Port. The association works closely with port authorities, customs, shipping agents, and freight forwarders to ensure a seamless flow of goods, critical for maintaining Bangladesh’s trade competitiveness.
Khalilur Rahman, a prominent figure in the country’s business landscape, is widely recognized for his visionary leadership and pioneering contributions to industry. He founded KDS Group in 1983 with one of the country’s earliest garment factories, and has since expanded the conglomerate into textiles, apparel trims and packaging, steel, information and communication technologies, logistics, shipping, banking, and insurance. KDS Group now has an international presence and aims to establish itself as a multinational enterprise rooted in Bangladesh.
As BICDA president, Rahman is expected to steer the organization towards greater efficiency, modernization, and policy advocacy, especially at a time when global trade disruptions, port congestion, and container shortages challenge the smooth functioning of the supply chain. His leadership is anticipated to focus on strengthening private sector logistics infrastructure, ensuring better coordination with government bodies, and attracting investment in off-dock capacity and digital transformation.
Industry insiders believe Rahman’s appointment will bring renewed energy and strategic clarity to BICDA’s operations, ultimately reinforcing Bangladesh’s position in global trade.
