Tie-up to boost housing sector

Manama : The benefit of public-private partnership is all set to reach the citizens in the form of housing services allocated for them. “More than 5,000 housing units are currently being constructed in concert with private institutions by the Housing Ministry,” Housing Minister Basim Alhamer told DT News on the sidelines of the Government Forum yesterday.
“The ministry has taken remarkable steps to enhance this vital sector in the past five years. One of the main initiatives implemented was strengthening cooperation with the private sector to enhance the housing services that are provided to citizens,” the Minister informed. “There are around 5, 000 units being constructed now in cooperation with establishments in the private sector.”
Meanwhile, speaking about the importance of the Government Forum, Alhamer said, “This forum represents a new beginning to focus on the goals of Bahrain 2030 vision, revising its outcomes and the progress made to achieve them.”
“We also came here to speak about the Government Action Plan (GAP), which is to some extent derived from the Kingdom’s 2030 vision. We look forward to doubling our efforts in the upcoming phase to continue serving the goals of this vision,” he said.
“This forum is important to determine the future requirements and challenges of the GAP. The next stage would surely focus on citizens and serving them. Housing is a major service and it must be provided with the highest quality and momentum,” Alhamer added.
As reported earlier, the ministry launched the Social Housing Financing Scheme in 2013 for citizens earning an income of BD700 and more. Launched in association with private banks and residential establishments, the project effectively contributed to the reduction of the long waiting lists for housing units.