Korea’s Kihak Sang receives honorary citizenship of Bangladesh

By Mahbub Hasan Tutul, Dhaka Correspondent

In recognition of his contribution to the development of Bangladesh’s industrial sector and employment of a large number of people and foreign income, Kihak Sang, chairman of the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) operating company, has been given honorary citizenship.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus presented the recognition to him on Wednesday on the official opening day of the four-day investment conference.

A program was organized at the capital’s Hotel Intercontinental to mark the official opening of the Bangladesh Investment Conference-2025. At this program, the necessary documents for citizenship were presented to him. Through this, Kihak Sang received the status of ‘honorary citizen’ despite not being a citizen, for playing a special role in the progress of Bangladesh as a foreign investor. In response, he said, I am really proud to receive honorary citizenship.

Kihak Sang is one of the highest foreign investors in Bangladesh. He has been doing business in Bangladesh since 1980. Five individuals and organizations, including Kihak Sang, were awarded for their significant contributions. Fabric Lagbe Limited for innovation, Bikash for foreign investment, Square Pharmaceuticals and Walton for local companies were awarded the Excellence in Investment Award. The awards were presented to the representatives of these organizations by the Chief Advisor.

Baroness Rosie Winterton, UK Trade Envoy for Bangladesh, Inditex CEO Oscar Garcia Maceiras and Apex Footwear Limited Managing Director Syed Nasim Manjur presented their views on investment in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun presented a power point on the investment environment in Bangladesh at the event.

Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain, Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul and Chief Coordinator of the Office of the Chief Advisor Lamia Morshed and Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor Shafiqul Alam were among the guests. The inaugural ceremony was hosted by the Special Envoy of the Chief Advisor Lutfe Siddiqui.

Kihak Sang, who started his journey with the industry of Bangladesh, has now transformed into an industrial society. Not only that, he was the first foreign investor among the garment industry entrepreneurs in Bangladesh in the eighties.

Yangwan debuted as the first investment institution in the textile and apparel export sector in May 1980 and is known as a pioneer in women’s employment in this industry.