Economic Reporter :
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has called upon the government to slash the bank interest rate so that people could afford to buy even a small flat for their living.
“The rate of interest on home loan is too high in our country though housing or accommodation is one of our basic needs,” said DCCI President Hossain Khaled.
He made the call when DCCI Board of Directors, led by him, met Housing and Public Works Engineer Mosharraf Hossain at latter’s office on Tuesday. Housing Secretary Md Shahid Ulla Khandaker was present.
The DCCI President said flat and apartment sales witnessed a fall remarkably in recent times for lack of gas connections.
He said the government might divide the city into several parts and supply Titas gas to some parts and supply LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) to other parts through pipeline.
Hossain also proposed cutting high registration fees, stamp duty, gain tax in case of selling used flat and apartments.
The Chamber leader also urged the government to reduce 15 percent VAT on construction materials to mitigate the cost of doing business in this sector.
Hossain recommended relocating leather-processing units, garment factories to specialised economic zones outside Dhaka, which will ensure planned industrialisation, better workplaces for workers and a pollution-free livable city.
He said coordinated efforts are needed to be taken to save our rivers, cannels and swamp areas from the illegal grabbers.
Minister Mosharraf listened to their proposals and said the government has planned to build 30,000 flats under public-private initiative in the city’s Mirpur area. “We should popularise the use of LPG in households to reduce pressure on limited natural gas,” the minister was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the DCCI.
He also said the rate of interest on house loan should be within single digit to ensure “accommodation for all”.
DCCI Vice President K. Atique-e-Rabbani, FCA, Directors Hossain Akhtar, Kamrul Islam, FCA, Md Alauddin Malik, Muktar Hossain Chowdhury, Salim Akter Khan and DCCI Secretary General AHM Rezaul Kabir were also present at the meeting.
