Tarique against any govt role in housing business, backs PPP model
Describing the housing industry as a key driver of the national economy, the prime minister said its sustainable development is essential for Bangladesh's broader economic progress.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said he does not want either Rajuk or the government to engage directly in the housing business, stressing that public-private partnership (PPP)-based housing programmes are a better way to ensure affordable homes for ordinary people.
He made the remarks during a meeting with leaders of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), who presented a six-point proposal aimed at developing the country's housing sector, promoting planned urbanisation and expanding access to affordable housing.
The association's proposals included revising the existing Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and building construction rules; launching PPP-based housing projects for low- and lower-middle-income groups; introducing a long-term housing loan scheme at single-digit interest rates; reducing apartment registration costs to 5%; withdrawing the 15% capital gains tax imposed on landowners constructing apartment buildings; and fully digitising building plan approvals and land and apartment registration to reduce delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
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The meeting was held yesterday at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, with Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Suman and MP Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan (Dipu) in attendance.
REHAB President Ali Afzal, accompanied by housing sector entrepreneurs, submitted the proposals to the prime minister.
The prime minister described the housing industry as one of the key drivers of the national economy, saying its growth is vital for the country's overall economic development. He said the government is working to create a transparent, accountable and investment-friendly environment to ensure planned, sustainable and corruption-free growth of the sector.
He also stressed that urbanisation should not remain Dhaka-centric and called for balanced, planned development across the country while protecting agricultural land.
Among those present at the meeting were REHAB Vice-President-2 Abu Khalid Md Barkatullah, Vice-President (Finance) Md Harun Or Rashid, Eastern Housing Limited Managing Director Md Aminul Karim Siddiqui, United Group Additional Managing Director Nizamuddin Hasan Rashid, and United Group Manager Mushfikul Alam Khandakar.
