Mr. Khalilur Rahman was born on 10 April, 1945 in Chittagong. His father was Late Alhaj Abul Khair and mother was Late Al-Haj Fatema Begum. He is a Bachelor of Science in Management and a renowned industrialist and Commercially Important Person (CIP). He has got a wide range of work involvement at home and abroad .He has business links with USA, Canada, Europe, Scandinavian Countries, Japan, South Asian Sub-Continent, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Germany, South Africa, Vietnam, Liberia, Fareast and Middle East.
He is the founder Chairman of Southern University Bangladesh and President of Khalilur Rahman Mohila College, Khalil Mir Degree College, Khalilur Rahman Girls’ High School, Ziri Khalil Mir Adarsh High School, Kartala Belkhain Mohabodhi High School, Khalilur Rahman Shishu Niketon (Kinder Garten), Khalilur Rahman Cultural Academy, Saberia Khalilia Senior Madrasha, Shaindair Gouchiya Tayoubia Delwara Begum Sunnia Alim Madrasha, Shaindair Al-Haji Abul Khair Sunnia Senior Madrasha and also member of the Governing body of S. A. Noor High School, Hulain Saleh Noor College and Mafizur Rahman Girls’ High School.
He is the Group Chairman of KDS. The concerns of KDS are - KDS Garment Industries Ltd., KDS Fashion Ltd, KDS IDR Ltd, Canvas Garments (PVT) Ltd, KDS Apparels Ltd, KDS Textiles Mills Ltd, KDS Logistic Ltd (Container Yard), KDS Washing Plant, KDS Poly Industries Ltd, KDS Accessories Ltd, KDS Thread Ltd, KYCR Galvalume, KY Steel Mills Ltd., KYCR Coil Industries Ltd., KIY Steel Accessories Ltd, Rahman & Co.
He is the Founder President of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Patiya Samity at Chittagong City, Chairman of Bangladesh CR Coil Manufacturer & Exporters Association and Pragati Life Insurance Ltd., Ex-Chairman of Bangladesh Red-crescent Society (Chittagong district unit), Ex-1stVice President & Director of BGMEA & Vice President of Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA). He is the running Director of Pragati Insurance Ltd. and National Bank Ltd. He is a Sponsor Share holder of Northern General Insurance Ltd. and Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. He is the Life Member of Bhatiary Golf and Country Club, Chittagong Boat Club, Chittagong Club Ltd., Chittagong Metropolitan Lions Club, Chittagong Press Club, Chittagong Institute Ltd. (Senior’s Club), Chittagong Maa & Shishu Hospital, Ziri Zanakollan Trust & International Business Forum of Bangladesh. He is the Executive Member of Bangladesh CI Sheet and GP Sheet Association.
As an Industrialist, Businessman and Entrepreneur, he achieved a good numbers of awards in different categories. He achieved National Export Trophy for High Export of Ready Made Garments in the years1985-1986,1987-1988, 1989-1990, 1990-1991,1991-1992, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2009-2010. Received Gold Medal/Crests Recognition of Quality and Quality Garments Exporter of AMC, TARGET, USA in the years 1998,1999,2001and2002; Golden Trophy For Quality In Ready Made Garments from Madrid 1992, Spain. Kmart Corporation Award; International Gold Star For Quality, International Recognition of Efficiency from Business Initiative Directions, Texas, USA, USA-Strategic Partner of Target Corporation; Outstanding Performance Award 2000; Award from Trade Leader Club, Spain–5 Times; Target Corporation Award; Gold Medal Crest For Export-1990-1991 and 1999-2000; Received Charming Shops Inc. USA 2004; Vendor Excellence Award 2000 from TARGET; Vendor Award 2005 from TARGET For Delivery High Quality Products, International Supplier of the Year 2004, 2005, 2009 & 2010 Award from Wal-Mart Canada and Wal-Mart UK George. Received Batexpo Award–1999 and 2000; Cafaxpo Award-2009; Top Clint Trophy from Agrabad Hotel-1998; Best Wishes Trophy from Agrani Bank Ltd.-2000; Business Award from Mercantile Bank -2011; Business Award from Janata Bank Ltd., Business Award from Jamuna Bank Ltd., Awarded from Lions Club International; Certificate of Excellence is Awarded to KDS Group from Pragati Insurance Ltd., Performance Award from Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd., “VijayaShree”- An International “Buddhist Award”-2009; Golden Award from UNESCO Academic Development Project and Mother Teresa Human rights Gold Award 2014 by Bangladesh Information & Human rights Foundation on 01/09/2014, “Ekushey Padak 2015” from Chittagong City Corporation for Contribution in Trade & Industry. Group Data in brief- Nearly Forty five thousand employees ranging from senior most executives to work forces are in the pay-roll of the Group.