DHAKA: Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday categorically said the government would build some 1,000 flats for its officials in Motijheel and Azimpur areas.

The minister came up with the disclosure while addressing the inaugural ceremony of international elevator and escalator fair at Bashundhara International Convention City in the city’s Bashundhara residential area.

He said that the real estate sector is playing an important role in the country’s economy. Following the expansion of this industry, high-rise buildings are being constructed in the country with an increasing demand of elevators and escalators.

Mosharraf also claimed that the incumbent government is sincere for the development of housing sector as the country has the target to be a middle income nation by 2021.

The minister further said that the government would build high-rise buildings in and adjacent areas of the capital city with the facilities of elevators and escalators.

Government-sponsored high-rise buildings will be constructed in Mirpur and Mohammadpur, he added.

According to the minister, there are some 150,000 government officials in the country. But housing facilities have been provided to 50,000 of them.

The government will build 1,000 flats in Motijheel and Azimpur for officials, he added.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) President and Shamsul Al-Amin Group Chairman Alamgir Shamsul Al-Amin were among others present at the function.

Over 50 organizations from different countries, including India, China, Korea and Italy, are participating in the exposition displaying capsule lifts, escalators, cabins, doors and security materials.

The three-day exposition will remain open for all till Thursday.

Addressing the function, Vargo Communication and Exhibition’s Indian director Anita Raghunath said that the exposition is organized in the proper time as the demand of elevators and escalators is gradually increasing in Bangladesh.

BDST: 1850 HRS, FEB 10, 2015