Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government is committed to building a transparent, accountable and investment-friendly environment for sustainable, planned and corruption-free development of the housing sector.

During a meeting with a delegation of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) at the Secretariat, he also said planned and sustainable urbanisation is essential for Bangladesh's long-term economic growth, said a release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.

The Prime Minister stressed that urban development should not remain Dhaka-centric, urging greater emphasis on balanced development across the country while protecting agricultural land.

At the meeting, the REHAB delegation discussed the current state of the housing industry, challenges to planned urbanisation, practical difficulties arising from the implementation of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), and measures needed for the sector's long-term development.

The association proposed reducing land, plot and apartment registration fees to a reasonable level to encourage investment in the housing sector.

The delegation also called for the complete digitalisation of government services related to the real estate sector to improve efficiency and transparency.

The REHAB leaders urged the government to rationally increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and promote vertical urban development to ensure the best use of limited land, particularly in the capital.

Addressing the delegation, Tarique Rahman described the housing sector as one of the key drivers of the national economy.

"The development of the housing sector is vital for the country's overall economic growth. The government is working to establish a transparent, accountable and investment-friendly environment where the housing industry can grow in a planned, sustainable and corruption-free manner," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government has already undertaken a series of reform initiatives to prevent irregularities in the housing sector and that further effective measures are being prepared.

He also emphasised the need to expand planned urbanisation beyond Dhaka.

"Urban development should not remain centred only on Dhaka. Other regions of the country must also be developed in a planned manner with equal importance," Tarique Rahman said, adding that agricultural land must be protected alongside development activities.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher attended the meeting along with REHAB President Dr Ali Afzal, Vice-President-2 Abu Khalid Md Barkatullah and senior representatives of leading real estate companies, including Eastern Housing Ltd, United Group, Rupayan Group, Amin Mohammad Group, Century Group, US-Bangla Assets Ltd and Swadesh Properties Ltd.