A Renaissance of Development and Urbanization
The Minister of Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, then delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the housing sector has received the constant attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, just like other sectors, out of his keenness – may God preserve him – to promote stability and the economic and social well-being of the nation and its citizens, and to continue the path of growth and progress with steadfastness, and to ensure comprehensive and balanced development across all regions of the Kingdom. You have previously affirmed—may God protect you—that providing suitable housing for citizens and the means for a dignified life are among your priorities and a matter of your personal concern, and the regulations and decisions issued—by the will of God Almighty—are in line with this direction. This is undoubtedly your customary approach and methodology, within the framework of the care and attention you bestow upon all fields to achieve further progress and development for them.
He noted that, building on the developmental, urban, and economic renaissance currently taking place in Al-Ahsa Governorate—as in the rest of the Kingdom’s governorates—and given the allocation of sites for projects in various sectors such as education, health, industry, tourism, and recreation, and the housing projects required by this renaissance for citizens, and in line with your constant directives to implement the ambitious short- and long-term visions that chart a promising future for coming generations and produce a vibrant society with a solid foundation, and which enhances the utilization of the Kingdom’s economic resources and promising investment opportunities, the “Al-Asfar Suburb” project—which comes within the framework of a partnership with the private sector and aims to provide 100,000 housing units, tourist complexes, commercial centers, and other services— will, God willing, be launched today in partnership with a consortium of Saudi and Chinese real estate development companies, following the signing of the partnership agreement during the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, to the People’s Republic of China. The project represents a significant boost and a qualitative leap that meets the province’s current and future housing needs, keeping pace with the urban, social, and economic expansion Al-Ahsa is experiencing.
Diverse Housing Units
The Minister of Housing explained that in addition to this project, there are, praise be to God, other projects in Al-Ahsa that have been completed, totaling 4,000 housing units, including ready-to-deliver residential units and developed land to be handed over to real estate developers, including a project located south of Al-Hofuf, the University Land Project, and the Al-Mubarraz Housing Project. These units are part of more than 31,000 housing units across the Eastern Province.
He said: ”I must point out the positive economic and developmental impact of these housing projects on providing job opportunities for citizens in the region and on encouraging the attraction of local and foreign direct investment to the sector, as well as the cumulative positive impact of these projects and all housing projects on the Kingdom’s economy, where estimates indicate that every riyal spent on housing projects generates direct and indirect economic outputs estimated at a multiplier of (4.7 riyals) for the Kingdom’s economy as a whole.”
Achieving the Goals of the Kingdom’s Vision
He added: ”In implementation of your directives regarding the need to facilitate access to adequate housing for citizens, and within the framework of the Ministry’s commitment to achieving the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, the Ministry has launched a number of programs and initiatives that support and stimulate the achievement of the desired regulatory objectives, and their regulations and mechanisms were issued during Cabinet sessions. These include the program for fees on vacant land, the Private Sector Partnership Program, the “Etmam” Developer Services Center—which aims to encourage developers to partner by providing them with services and streamlining and expediting the procedures required of them—the “Wafi” Off-Plan Sales Program, the Easy Mortgage Program, and housing support regulations, as well as other programs provided by the financing arm represented by the Real Estate Development Fund. All of these programs have effectively begun operations, and, praise be to God, we have started to see their positive impact and benefits on citizens and the sector in general.”
Launch of Multiple Projects
Following that, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques—may God support him—launched the Ministry of Housing’s projects in Al-Ahsa Governorate by pressing an electronic screen, and – may God protect him – and the attendees a visual presentation on the housing projects that were launched in Al-Mubarraz, the airport area, and the university area. The Al-Mubarraz City project comprises 116 residential villas that were constructed and developed according to modern standards, while the Ministry has completed the construction of 500 residential units near Al-Ahsa Airport, in a residential environment featuring numerous commercial and recreational facilities.
The University Land project, meanwhile, spans 1.5 million square meters and is distinguished by its proximity to King Faisal University. It was developed in partnership with the private sector, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
100,000 housing units
Following this, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques—may God preserve him—touched the screen to announce the laying of the foundation stone to commence work on the Al-Asfar Suburb project in the province, and viewed—may God protect him – a visual presentation of the project, which will accommodate approximately 100,000 housing units of varying sizes and designs, and will include numerous facilities, parks, mosques, and investment and commercial centers, which, God willing, will serve as a tourist attraction for the province.
Afterward, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, presented a number of citizens with the keys to their new homes.
He also received—may God protect him—a commemorative gift on this occasion from the Minister of Housing.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques then departed from Hajar Palace in Al-Ahsa Province, bidding farewell with the same warmth and hospitality with which he had been received. The ceremony was attended by a number of Their Highnesses the Princes, several ministers, and a gathering of citizens.
