A four-day real estate exposition, REHAB Fair 2025, organised by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), began on Wednesday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka's Agargaon area.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam inaugurated the fair, while Chairman of the National Housing Authority (NHA) Ferdousi Begum attended the opening ceremony as a special guest.

The fair will continue until December 27, featuring a total of 220 stalls. Alongside real estate developers, building materials suppliers and financial institutions are also participating, according to the organisers.

Speaking at the inaugural event, the RAJUK chairman said entrepreneurs and builders involved in construction play a crucial role in building a developed nation. Although various professional groups are linked to the housing sector, the primary responsibility of building construction ultimately lies with developers and builders, he added.

Riaz-ul-Islam noted that if individual plot owners were required to construct buildings solely with their own funds, very few structures would have been built in Dhaka.

He said the housing sector has passed through many ups and downs over the years, and while the real estate business is currently experiencing a slowdown, the situation will not be permanent and better days will return.

Referring to prevailing misconceptions about developers, he said many believe developers focus only on their own business interests.

“I strongly believe this perception is not correct. There may be a few exceptions, but most developers want a well-planned city built within rules and regulations,” he added.

NHA Chairman Ferdousi Begum, speaking as a special guest, emphasised the importance of constructing buildings in compliance with existing rules and regulations.

REHAB President Md Wahiduzzaman said the fair would play an important role in creating a bridge between members and buyers.

“With economic progress, people’s interest in owning a quality apartment in a good location is increasing. We are working to fulfil citizens’ housing dreams,” he said.

REHAB Senior Vice President Liakat Ali Bhuiyan highlighted the sector’s contribution, saying that in the current context it is almost impossible for an ordinary citizen to purchase a flat or plot without a housing loan.

He said initiatives are being taken to ensure easier access to such loans for buyers, adding that home loans play a vital role in developing planned and modern housing.

The fair will remain open to visitors daily from 10am to 9pm. Two types of entry tickets are available – single-entry and multiple-entry. The single-entry ticket costs Tk 50, while the multiple-entry ticket, priced at Tk 100, allows up to five entries during the fair period.

Organisers said all proceeds from ticket sales will be spent on assisting the underprivileged. REHAB also announced that raffle draws will be held every day during the fair.