Riyadh: Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, participated in a ministerial session at Cityscape Global 2024 in Saudi Arabia. The session focused on advancing social housing strategies, urban renewal, and innovative approaches to expanding housing access and preserving heritage sites, with participation from Sherif El Sherbini, Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Rumaihi emphasized that Bahrain’s housing strategy prioritizes expanding housing choices and increasing residential projects to provide timely services to citizens. This strategy is implemented through housing finance options, a programme for developing government lands in collaboration with the private sector, and the completion of ongoing housing projects in designated housing cities.
The minister highlighted the adoption of private sector partnerships by many GCC and international countries to meet housing demands, demonstrating the valu
e of engaging this sector in addressing social housing needs. Al Rumaihi praised the advanced housing programmes within the GCC, which continue to evolve through strategic public-private partnerships.
Minister Al Rumaihi pointed to Bahrain’s recent housing achievements and the positive outcomes of the ministry’s partnerships with the private sector. These initiatives have provided housing solutions for thousands of Bahraini families through innovative approaches, showcasing a commitment to broadening these efforts for efficient and accessible housing.
The minister stressed that increasing housing supply is crucial to supporting these initiatives, especially with financing options that align with citizens’ needs. She mentioned the launch of various development projects with the private sector and the “Bayti” platform, which integrates banks, real estate developers, and housing stakeholders to foster engagement, coordinate efforts, and address challenges collaboratively.
The session also covered the importan
ce of restoring historic areas, with Minister Al Rumaihi discussing Bahrain’s projects in Muharraq and Manama’s historic market district. These efforts align with directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and are supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to implement heritage conservation plans.
On the sidelines of Cityscape Global, Minister Al Rumaihi met with Majed bin Abdullah Al Hogail, Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing. She praised Saudi Arabia’s achievements in housing through private sector engagement and congratulated them on successfully hosting Cityscape Riyadh 2024, acknowledging their notable progress in this field.