Housing Ministry Undersecretary participates in second Gulf housing conference
Kuwait, Sep. 3 (BNA): Fatima Ibrahim Al Mannai, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, participated in the second Gulf Housing Conference, held in Kuwait on September 3–4, in line with the decision of the 23rd GCC housing ministers’ meeting last May.
Al Mannai emphasised Bahrain’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with GCC countries to enhance housing services through modern and innovative solutions aligned with sustainable development goals. She noted that social housing is a national priority, in line with the government programme’s objectives.
During a panel session for senior GCC housing officials, held on the sidelines of the conference, Al Mannai highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to implement the Royal directives to accelerate housing projects and deliver 50,000 new units. She also reviewed plans to diversify and expand Bahrain’s real estate stock to provide suitable housing for citizens and enhance partnerships with the private sector.
She said the Ministry had launched several new programmes and initiatives to boost cooperation with the private sector, improve housing services, and accelerate citizens’ access to adequate housing. She referred to programmes announced at the Housing Innovation Conference and Exhibition last April.
Al Mannai outlined the Ministry’s latest housing programmes, including the Tamouh (Ambition) programme, the Off-plan Sales Programme for beneficiaries of the Government Land Rights Development Programme, and the Private Land Rights Development Programme. She also announced the launch of the second edition of the Baity Real Estate Platform, with enhanced features and services, and the introduction of Tas’heel+ financing.
She noted that Tas’heel+ complements the Ministry’s existing financing options, including Tas’heel, Mazaya, and the newly introduced Mazaya category, providing citizens with immediate access to housing finance. Al Mannai emphasised that the continuous development of housing programmes in partnership with the private sector reflects ongoing efforts to provide innovative and fast-track solutions to secure suitable housing.
She further noted that the Ministry, in cooperation with government entities, is working on the Muharraq City Development Plan to preserve its historical and cultural identity while providing housing for Bahraini families returning to the city. The project’s first phase involves building and renovating 300 units, with plans to expand to 2,000 units in future phases in partnership with the private sector.
