Muscat, 10 April, 2012 - Local real estate developers, consultants and contractors are invited to Oman's Affordable Housing Development Summit 2012 to learn about investment and business opportunities within the affordable housing sector, and to benchmark regional and international best practices that will help develop affordable and economically viable housing projects in the Sultanate.

Oman's Affordable Housing Development Summit 2012 will feature an array of eminent regional and international experts seeking to find common ground in the formulation of effective solutions to the region's housing challenges. Developed in cooperation with Oman's Ministry of Housing, the two-day forum, organized by International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) and Global Exhibitions & Conferences LLC (GEC), opens at the Grand Hyatt Muscat on April 16, 2012. 

Over 30 international and regional housing experts, representing government bodies, urban housing development agencies, financial institutions, real estate developers, consultancy firms and material suppliers, will outline their vision and expertise in developing affordable housing for low and middle income households in the MENA region.

"The summit will showcase MENA governments strategies in developing affordable housing projects, financing options and incentives to attract private investors, the regulatory and legal framework required to ensure successful project development as well as innovative design and construction technologies to build affordable housing projects within budgets," said Rozenn Cornec, Divisional Director - Oman at IQPC Middle East.

Underscoring the importance of the forum to the Omani government's national objectives, the Ministry of Housing is extending for the second year its support to the Summit.  As the event's Chief Guest, H.E. Saif bin Amir bin Sulaiman al Shaqsi, the recently appointed Undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing, will inaugurate the Summit on Monday April, 16. His Excellency will be accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry to discuss the government's social housing programmes, including land regulation and acquisition, projects budgeting and financing and strategic development plans.

Several prominent figures who have been at the forefront of urban planning in the region will also be taking part in the Summit. The line-up includes H.E. Abdullah Al Ali Al Nuaim, former Mayor of Riyadh City and Chairman and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute; Loay Ghazaleh, Advisor at the Ministry of Works in Bahrain; and Maysa Sabah, MENA Advisor, Affordable Housing Institute.

Importantly, the Summit will highlight the role of the government and the private sector in developing successful affordable housing programmes.  Confirming their participation at the event are senior executives of well-known regional entities within the real estate market, including Woods Bagot, EWAN Architectural & Engineering Consultancy, Perkins Eastman, NAGA Architects, Otak International, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, Al Madina Real Estate Company, Sorouh Real Estate, Alargan Towel Investment Company, Global Omani Development & Investment Company (GLOREI), Oman and Emirates Green Building Councils and German University of Technology (GUtech).

"This second edition of the Affordable Housing Summit series brings together some of the region's key decision makers and policy planners who have long shaped the debate on affordable housing for lower income population. It's a meeting of the minds, aiming at discussing innovating solutions and strategies for regional governments currently grappling with the challenges of making housing an affordable dream for their national populations," commented C J Paul, CEO of GEC.

Sponsorship support for the summit has been equally strong, with Enshaat Construction and Building Material Manufacturing being the Lead Sponsor; Berger Paints and MESA Formwork signed up as Associate Sponsors; Al Shams - Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles Co. and Al Argan Towell Investment Co as Lunch Sponsors; Al Maha Ceramics as Coffee Sponsors; Ernst & Young as Literature Sponsors; and Wave - Oman Ceramics Co. and Oman Arab Bank as Exhibitors.

For more information on Affordable Housing Development Summit Oman 2012, go to www.affordablehousingme.com, contact + 968 24 783 800 / +971 4 364 2975 or enquiry@iqpc.ae  

© Press Release 2012