United News of Bangladesh

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) on Monday urged the government to ensure the safety of housing sector entrepreneurs, expressing deep concern over the current law and order situation and its impact on the investment climate in the real estate sector. The apex trade body of housing developers made the call at an emergency press conference at its head office, condemning the alleged physical torture, intimidation and forced extraction of signatures on blank stamps and cheques from one of its members in Barishal. REHAB President Ali Afzal said the incident involving Md Abdul Aziz Howlader, chairman of Bakla Developers Pvt Ltd and managing director of Agrani Housing Ltd, was not merely an attack on an individual entrepreneur but a serious blow to the country's safe and fear-free business environment. He said REHAB had closely monitored media reports, videos circulating on social media, and the actions taken by law enforcement agencies, adding that the scenes shown in the videos were deeply disturbing and unacceptable in a civilised society. Afzal acknowledged that law enforcement had arrested several accused after a case was filed over the incident, calling the move commendable. However, he voiced concern over alleged attempts to secure quick bail for the arrestees and reports of the victim being intimidated and pressured, warning that such actions, if true, would amount to interference with the judicial process. He called on the administration to ensure comprehensive security for the victim and his family throughout the legal proceedings so they could pursue justice without fear or pressure. Describing REHAB as the country's largest housing sector organisation, Afzal said the sector's entrepreneurs have invested thousands of crores of taka and generated direct and indirect employment for nearly 5 million people, playing a crucial role in planned urbanisation and economic development. He noted that engineers, architects, construction workers, contractors, suppliers, banks and financial institutions are all linked to the sector, making its stability vital for the national economy. Afzal said no culture of extracting demands through intimidation, coercion, extortion, physical torture or violence against any individual or institution could be acceptable in a civilised society. While business or financial disputes may arise, the country has laws, courts and a judicial system to resolve them, he said, adding that any developer or entrepreneur violating the law must also be dealt with under existing laws, since no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. On questions of political identity, Afzal said REHAB does not consider whether an individual is affiliated with any political party or organisation, noting that the association looks at the crime, not the person, and that equal application of law for all is the foundation of a state built on the rule of law. REHAB members said ensuring security for entrepreneurs is essential to keep the country's investment climate safe, warning that any sense of insecurity among entrepreneurs would send a negative message not just for a single company but for the overall investment environment and economy. At the press conference, REHAB placed a four-point demand before the relevant ministries, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary: ensuring a neutral, swift and transparent investigation into the incident; taking exemplary legal action against all involved if the allegations are proven; ensuring overall security for the victim and his family; and taking effective measures to secure the safety of housing sector entrepreneurs in the future. REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaque also responded to journalists' queries after the press conference, saying the association has always stood for the rule of law, justice and a safe business environment, and will continue playing its due role in safeguarding the interests of the country's housing sector. REHAB expressed hope that the authorities, through a swift and impartial investigation, would bring the real culprits to justice and set an example that prevents such disgraceful incidents from recurring, further strengthening an investment-friendly, safe and fear-free business environment in the country.

Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) met Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Riazul Islam on Thursday, pressing for amendments to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and broader reforms in the housing sector. REHAB President Ali Afzal led the delegation of board members to RAJUK's headquarters, where senior officials of the authority were also present. Flagging inconsistencies between current DAP provisions and ground realities, Ali Afzal argued the plan needs urgent revision. He called for expanding opportunities for high-rise and planned construction, along the lines of city centres to accommodate modern urbanisation within Dhaka's land constraints. The REHAB president also stressed the need to demarcate separate zones for agriculture, housing, industries and afforestation to ensure planned development across the country, while urging special credit facilities and incentives at the district and upazila levels to promote decentralisation of Dhaka. REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaque proposed holding a dedicated extended session to address the full range of issues related to DAP and the housing sector. RAJUK Chairman Riazul accepted the proposal and assured participants that such a session will be arranged in due course. “This country belongs to all of us. It is imperative to build a planned and sustainable housing system for everyone,” he said, praising REHAB's role and reaffirming his commitment to working jointly with the association. REHAB Vice Presidents Mohammad Akhtar Biswas and Md Harun-or-Rashid, along with Director Md Mahbubur Rahman and other board members, also shared their views during the meeting.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has warned that new taxes and duties on construction materials in the proposed 2026-27 national budget will push up construction costs and ultimately raise flat prices, hitting ordinary homebuyers hardest. Reacting to the budget placed by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, REHAB President Ali Afzal said the proposal fell well short of what the housing sector had expected. "We are still reviewing the budget in detail, but what we have seen so far shows no meaningful policy support or incentives for the housing sector," he said. "On the contrary, new taxes and duties on construction materials are likely to further increase construction costs. The imposition of a specific VAT on steel rods, in particular, will drive up costs and have a direct impact on flat prices and ordinary buyers," he said. Afzal said REHAB had long been pressing for a reduction in flat and land registration costs, arguing that lower registration fees will stimulate real transactions, attract investment to the sector and ultimately boost government revenue, a demand that went unaddressed in this year's budget. He underscored the sector's broader economic footprint, noting that housing is directly and indirectly linked to some 269 industries. A slowdown in real estate, he warned, will not only hurt developers and buyers but also ripple across industries, including steel, cement, ceramics, electrical goods, furniture and transport, putting the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers at risk. "Revitalising the housing sector means revitalising the economy, generating employment and strengthening the foundation of sustainable growth," the REHAB president said, urging the government to give serious weight to their proposals in post-budget consultations. For the sector's long-term health, he called for lower registration costs, housing-friendly tax policies, access to long-term low-interest financing and a stable investment climate. REHAB said it views the budget's provision allowing voluntary disclosure of investment as a positive step, adding that the measure would be reviewed further.

With the national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 set for announcement, the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has called on the government to treat the housing sector as a growth engine rather than a revenue extraction target. It said high taxes, steep registration costs and double-digit mortgage rates are pricing out middle-income families and slowing a sector linked to some 269 downstream industries. In a press release on Wednesday, REHAB President Ali Afzal outlined a package of demands the association wants reflected in the upcoming budget, centring on single-digit interest rates on home loans, reduced flat registration and stamp duty charges, a dedicated housing credit fund for middle-income borrowers, and rationalised taxes on construction materials. “We are not asking for special privileges. We want a policy environment that makes housing accessible to ordinary people while keeping an economically vital sector functioning,” Afzal said. The REHAB President pushed back against the perception that the housing sector primarily serves developers' interests, arguing that a single apartment transaction sets off a chain reaction across steel, cement, glass, ceramics, electrical equipment, transport, banking, insurance and architectural services. “When housing moves, industry moves, employment grows, revenue rises and the broader economy gains momentum,” he said, describing the sector's cascading economic impact as a “multiplier effect.” “If registration costs are brought to a rational level, the volume of transactions will increase. The government will collect more revenue from a larger number of deals even at a lower rate,” he said. “Revenue will not fall, it will rise.” Afzal described housing as a basic need, not a luxury, and said current double-digit lending rates have pushed home ownership beyond the reach of many middle-income families whose loan instalments already strain household budgets. He called for a dedicated housing credit fund offering long-term loans on easy terms specifically for middle-income borrowers, a measure he framed as both social policy and economic stimulus. On taxes affecting construction inputs, Afzal noted that rising prices for steel, cement, glass and ceramics ultimately land on the buyer, eroding affordability. Rationalising the tax structure on these materials, he argued, would bring down construction costs and widen access to housing. Asked about the longstanding proposal to allow undisclosed funds into the housing sector, Afzal acknowledged it as a short-term measure to bring idle capital into productive use, but said the durable solution lies in a fair tax regime where rates are reasonable, compliance is simple and people are motivated to declare income voluntarily. “When the tax burden is excessive, people seek ways to evade. But when rates are rational, both revenue and compliance improve,” he said. With the budget due imminently, Afzal said REHAB remains hopeful, noting that the budgetary process allows for stakeholder input and amendments even after the initial parliamentary presentation. “Budget day is not the end of the conversation,” he said. “We remain positive until the final passage.”

The number of flat owners in Dhaka has risen to around 350,000 due to the steady expansion of the housing sector, said Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) President Wahiduzzaman on Monday (December 22, 2025). Wahiduzzaman said this while announcing the dates of the four-day ‘REHAB Fair 2025’ at a programme held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital. He said housing projects are expanding rapidly in Dhaka, leading to a growing number of flat owners. Buyers are showing increasing interest in condominiums developed on limited land. “Currently, around 350,000 families in Dhaka own flats. The condominiums being developed now are of international standard. A flat is not just a place to live—it has become a marker of social status. We want to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to become a flat owner in a fair and non-discriminatory manner in the future,” Wahiduzzaman said. Read more: Tk 2105 cr housing projects for July martyrs’ families, injured get govt nod Referring to the gazette of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) published on December 14, the REHAB leader said they are satisfied with the new regulations, noting that many inconsistencies and complications of the previous DAP have been resolved. “This DAP does not favour any particular group. It is a balanced DAP, which is why we have expressed our satisfaction. However, there are still some issues, and we will sit with the authorities to discuss them,” Wahiduzzaman added. He said becoming a REHAB member is mandatory for anyone wishing to do business in the housing sector, as stipulated by a circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce. About 1,500 real estate companies are still outside REHAB membership, and initiatives are underway to bring them under the association. “Many people fall victim to fraud by purchasing flats from non-REHAB members. We are working sincerely to address this problem,” he said. Speaking about flat prices in Dhaka, REHAB Senior Vice President Liakat Ali Bhuiyan said prices in some areas exceed Tk 10 million mainly due to high land costs, while flats are comparatively cheaper in areas where land prices are lower. However, he noted that flat prices have increased overall compared to the past. Read more: 3-day JCX Housing Fair kicks off in Dhaka Meanwhile, REHAB Vice President-2 Akter Biswas said the association is committed to constructing earthquake-resistant buildings by following proper planning guidelines. REHAB plans to organise a workshop in the future to further raise awareness among real estate developers on the issue, he added.

Banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh are offering long-term housing loans to customers, creating opportunities to become owners of property. Some institutions are even approving loans within 48 hours of receiving the customer's application. However, most banks and financial institutions thoroughly verify the identity of the customer and the quality of his or her employer before granting loans. As a result, the amount of default loans in this sector is less than in other sectors. The overall size of the total housing loans portfolio of all banks was Tk85,663 crore at the end of June 2022, up from Tk77,698 crore in June 2021, an increase of Tk7964 crore or 10.25 percent in one year. Also read: Best Home Loans in Bangladesh to Build Your Dream Nest Five banks have disbursed most of the loans in the housing sector in a year. Out of this, IFIC Bank disbursed Tk 1,812 crore, Agrani Bank Tk 1,102 crore, Islami Bank Tk1,190 crore, Sonali Bank Tk 463 crore and Janata Bank Tk 139 crore. President of Real Estate & Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) Alamgir Shamsul Alamin told UNB that the housing sector has created opportunity to become flat owner for service holders. Lower-middle income groups of people can dream to become a flat or plot owner jointly or individually in the housing sector, which is secured and a potential safeguard of hard earned money, he said. He is also managing director of Shamsul Alamin Real Estate Limited. “There is no accurate count of how many people have acquired flats with loan facilities,” he said. Read More: BBS thanks Walton for providing Tab in population & housing census Around 54,000 people have bought flats with loans from the financial institution Delta Brac Housing or DBH Finance. And the number of customers who bought flats or built houses with loans from IFIC Bank is 18,500. IFIC Bank Managing Director, Shah Alam Sarwar said, “We have achieved unprecedented success in housing loans. This financing is being done through our 1,200 branches and sub-branches.” There is no hassle to get a loan, no extra charges. As a result, eligible customers who come to take loans take it easy, he said. Banks are approving a maximum loan of Tk2.0 crore at the individual level to buy a flat. In this case, the ratio of bank loan and own money is 70:30. That is, to buy a flat of Tk1.0 crore, a client has to provide Tk30 lakh, and the bank finances Tk70 lakh. Read More: Delta Brac Housing Finance Corp. Ltd renamed as DBH Finance PLC On the other hand, there is no ratio in the case of loans to non-banking financial institutions. These institutions fix this ratio themselves. The maximum interest rate for housing loans from banks is 8 percent and interest from financial institutions is 12 percent. IFIC Bank, the first private sector bank started offering these loans at reduced interest rates. Even in early 2015, the bank was charging 11.95 percent interest against home loans, which was reduced to 9.99 percent in December 2015. At that time the interest rate in the banking sector was more than 15 percent. The IFIC Bank has a separate housing loan facility called 'Amar Bari'. The bank provides loans up to Tk2.0 crores for house construction and Tk35 lakhs for the construction of semi-finished buildings. Demand has been created among the people for housing loans. As a result, more than 1000 real estate companies have been established in the country. Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation (BHBFC) has also been established as a government initiative. Read More: IFC, BRAC Bank to launch Bangladesh’s first ever housing bond Apart from this, specialized financial institutions have been launched to provide loan facilities for the housing sector. As a result, people are able to own a flat with a loan along with their savings. Loans are also available for house construction. Institutions in the housing sector have now reached the capital and divisional cities as well as the district level. As a result, now, housing loans in Bangladesh have reached the district level as well. END/UNB/AI/ssk

Four young women aged 16-22 tried to take their own lives Thursday in the face of the torture and abuse they face in Sylhet Training and Rehabilitation Centre run by the Social Service Department. Koli Begum, 21, Popy Aktar, 22, Suhada Aktar Tonny, 16, and Sultana Aktar Liza, 22, all come from socially handicapped backgrounds. Read:Woman poisons daughter, commits suicide in Jashore They tried to commit suicide by slitting their wrists at the rehabilitation center in Khadimnagar area around 2 pm. The authorities rushed them to Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital immediately after rescuing them in injured condition. All four of them are being treated at the hospital currently. According to the girls' own testimony, they could no longer bear the torture they faced from trainer and storekeeper Delwar Hossain and office assistant Anwara Begum. Koli said they were being physically and mentally tortured by those two staffers at the center, with Anwara even hitting them with shoes. Read:Couple commits suicide in Chattogram On Thursday morning, Delwar Hossain scolded and bathmouthed them once again over some food issue. "Unable to tolerate that anymore, we decided to attempt suicide,” Koli said.  Incredibly, they informed how a few days ago another girl had actually succeeded in killing herself. Delwar had scolded them over the food arrangements for the funeral of the dead girl, that will be held Friday. The callous Delwar said those trainees had cut their wrists on several occasions before too. "It has become a habit for them," he told UNB.  “Five days back I was appointed in-charge of the store before that Anwara Begum had the responsibility. I told the trainees only that there is no extra budget for the funeral ceremony and they have to do with what’s there in the store,” he said on the incident from Thursday morning. Read:Nanny at state-run orphanage suffocated 2-month-old to death: CCTV Meanwhile, Assistant Manager of the Center Lutfor Rahman and accused staff Anwara couldn’t be contacted. Earlier on July 22, a nanny killed a two-month old infant at another Social Services Dept facility, an orphanage named 'Chhotomoni Nibas'. in Bagbari of Sylhet city.

Real Estate & Housing Association of Bangladesh (Rehab) director Mohammad Abu Bakar Siddique passed away  early Tuesday at a city hospital.   Freedom Fighter Md Abu Bakar Siddique breathed his last at 12:05am at Azgor Ali Hospital, said a press release of Rehab.   Siddique was also a member of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI).   He was elected director of Rehab for 2018-2020 term.