SM Jahangir Hossain, Member of Parliament (Dhaka-18), has emphasised the importance of practical policy support for the housing sector to thrive in Bangladesh.
he addressed the need for strong government backing for the sector’s sustainable growth at a ceremony hosted by Developers Forum Uttara (DFU) to officially welcome the newly elected board members of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) on Saturday.
Jahangir Hossain, who attended as the chief guest, highlighted the vital role of the housing sector in Bangladesh’s economy, employment, and urbanisation, stating, “The housing sector is not just about building homes; it is connected to over 200 industries. To ensure its growth, we need supportive policies, easy access to bank loans, and a practical tax framework.”
He called for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to provide affordable housing for the middle and lower-middle classes and urged lenient policies for honest businesspeople and regular taxpayers.
The event was chaired by Ibrahim Sarkar, President of DFU, who acknowledged the challenges currently facing the housing sector, including rising land prices, increasing construction material costs, and banking complexities.
He called on the new REHAB board members to work together to address these issues and safeguard the interests of the sector.
Dr. Ali Afzal, the newly elected President of REHAB, pledged to make the housing sector more dynamic and customer-oriented. He also stressed the importance of enhanced coordination between the government, policymakers, and businesses to tackle the challenges facing the sector and ensure the availability of affordable housing.
Abdur Razzak, REHAB’s Senior Vice President, reiterated the importance of long-term, practical policies for fostering sustainable urbanisation and creating an investment-friendly environment.
The ceremony concluded with a flower-giving session to honour the new REHAB board members, followed by a dinner for the guests.
