Five-day REHAB fair begins in city

Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain on Wednesday said allowing undeclared money to invest in housing sector can reduce siphoning off money abroad.

He suggested removing legal complications regarding the use of undeclared money for buying or constructing houses.

"Black money would have to be allowed without any question, if we want to boost the housing sector. Taka 76,000 has been siphoned off abroad. This must be resisted," he said speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of five-day Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.

The housing sector plays an important role in attaining economic growth, the minister said and urged the private entrepreneurs to invest in the sector.

The government will provide the ordinary people with low-cost flats, he said, adding that good quality flats are being constructed at Kolshi in the capital, which would be on sale within 2016.

The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister are very much sincere so that the people can purchase flats at affordable prices, Engineer Mosharraf said.

Referring to pollution and silting of rivers around Dhaka because of the sewerage system of WASA , he said the system must be changed and the private sector should come forward in this regard.

Presided over by REHAB President Alamgir Shamsul Alamin, the function was also addressed by REHAB Senior Vice-President Rabiul Haq, Vice-Presidents M Waheduzzaman and Liaqat Ali Bhuiyan and Co-chairman Engineer Sohrawardi Bhuiyan. The fair will continue till December 27.