Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the issues and concerns about the Detailed Area Plan of Dhaka should be solved through discussions.

“REHAB has concerns about the new DAP. But the concerns need to be solved through discussions,” he said.

He said the housing sector business is connected with many other industries, and so if the sector is affected by a decision of the government, those will also be affected.

Speaking on the occasion, Housing and Public Works Secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker urged the REHAB members and others related not to be worried about the DAP.

“The government will not do anything harmful and goes against the interest of the sector. The REHAB has nothing to be worried about the DAP. We will not finalise a plan that is not acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinais going to make a plan soon that will be acceptable to all,” Ullah said.

Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) ABM Amin Ullah Nuri said, “The government will protect the interests of businessmen in the sector which is working to meet the demand of housing in the country.”

He said that RAJUK will take necessary measures to end the sufferings of the housing industry and corruption while getting services from its dishonest officials.

REHAB president Alamgir Shamsul Alamin (Kajal) said, “We are not against the DAP. But I hope the government won’t do anything that leads us to close our business. We want a plan which is acceptable to all parties.”

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Md Jashim Uddin, senior vice-president of REHAB Enthekhabul Hamid and vice-president-1 Kamal Mahmud also spoke on the occasion.

Some 150 housing companies, 15 construction farms, 30 banks and finance companies are participating in the five-day fair that will continue till December 27.

The organisers set up around 200 stalls at the fair which will remain open from 10:00am to 9:00 pm every day.