RIYADH: Newly appointed Housing Minister Shuwaish Al-Duwaihi opened a workshop for developing a national housing strategy. The workshop aims to study all aspects of the country's housing problem.
Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency after the opening session, Al-Duwaihi said the two-day workshop would discuss ways and means to strengthen the country's housing sector.
"We want to reach a clear vision about the Kingdom's housing sector to make short-term, medium-term and long-term plans," the minister said.
A number of experts will address the workshop over six sessions.
He commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's support for the sector. Last month, the king ordered that the minimum housing loan be increased from SR300,000 to SR500,000.
The king also ordered the construction of 500,000 housing units in various parts of the country.
The General Housing Corporation and related departments have been brought under the new Housing Ministry. All jobs and officials working in the housing sector as well as all financial allocations and properties related to housing have been transferred to the ministry. These include all documents and plans of existing and future projects and contracts.
© Arab News 2011
