As part of its social responsibility as a long-standing partner of the Bangladesh apparel industry, renowned German brand KiK— founded in 1994 by Stefan Heinig and the holding company Tengelmann Group, KiK is, reportedly, the largest textile discounter chain in Germany — has donated to purchase coronavirus vaccines for garment workers in Bangladesh.
Media reports maintained this adding the German brand, which in addition to sourcing garments from Bangladesh, has been involved with social projects in the country for many years and established a number of charitable organisations like schools and medical stations, made the donation through the apex garment makers’ body, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which in turn will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for procuring and administering the vaccines.
Underlining that people in this sector work indoors, where they are at increased risk of infections, KiK CEO Patrick Zahn, maintained, “…For me, there’s no doubt that vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19,” even as he went on to add that with this donation, KiK wants to make a contribution to ensure that people in Bangladesh garment industry are protected in the best possible way.
The President of the garment makers’ body, BGMEA, Faruque Hassan, reportedly, praised KiK’s initiative even as he stated that the garment industry serves as the most important pillar of the country’s economy and the sector has suffered tremendously from the fallouts of the coronavirus pandemic and continues to do so still.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
