Oman Learns from Saudi Arabia’s Experience in Urban Development
A high-level Omani delegation led by His Excellency Dr. Khalfan Al-Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning of the Sultanate of Oman, learned about Saudi Arabia’s experience in the housing sector and in urban development and planning, visiting a number of projects and developments within the city of Riyadh, expressing admiration for the achievements made, and praising the progress in the areas of engineering design, infrastructure for residential projects, and public services and facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The Royal Commission for the Development of Riyadh
The delegation visited the Royal Commission for the Development of Riyadh and was briefed on its efforts to support major projects in Riyadh in coordination with relevant authorities, such as: the King Salman Park project, the Sports Trail project, the Green Riyadh project, the Riyadh Art project, the Riyadh Metro, housing projects, and the impact of these projects on urban and architectural development, as well as on investment, the economy, the environment, culture, tourism, and society, He also learned about sustainable infrastructure systems and networks, urban design and planning, population distribution, and the city’s future plans through 2030.
The Industrial Cities Experience
The Omani delegation was briefed on the Kingdom’s experience in the field of industrial cities and the support provided to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP through a visit to the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones “MODON” and meeting with His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Engineer Osama bin Abdulaziz Al-Zamil, and the CEO of ”MODON,” Engineer Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Salem.
The visit also included a stop at the headquarters of Al-Qiddiya Investment Company to view a brief presentation on the Al-Qiddiya project and its progress in partnership with major international companies.
” State Real Estate Authority” Hosts the Delegation
As part of the visit’s program, the Governor of the General Authority for State Real Estate, Ihsan bin Abbas Bafqih, received the delegation at the Authority’s headquarters in Riyadh, and briefed them on the General Authority for State Real Estate’s experience in the Kingdom and its efforts to maximize, protect, and enhance the value of state assets and real estate, while increasing their productive and economic efficiency through innovative solutions, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
The delegation visited the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs
The Minister of Municipal, Rural, and Housing Affairs, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, also received the delegation, and the two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of housing and urban planning in the two brotherly countries.
During the meeting, he commended Oman’s interest in learning about the Kingdom’s experience in the housing and urban development sectors, expressing his hope that the visit would meet the aspirations of the leaders of both countries, and everything that would strengthen cooperation and partnership in the service of the two brotherly countries.
The Experience of Residential Suburbs
Following that, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Advisor to the Minister, Deputy Minister for Customer Services and Customer Experience, and General Supervisor of the General Administration for Institutional Partnerships and International Cooperation, accompanied the delegation to visit the Al-Jawan suburb north of Riyadh, where he briefed them on the Kingdom’s experience with residential suburbs.
Al-Sakani Comprehensive Center
The Omani delegation also visited the Comprehensive Housing Center, where they learned about the diverse services it offers and the housing options and solutions it provides to enable Saudi families to become homeowners, praising the efforts made by the center’s management to serve citizens and provide them with various services through an effective partnership with the private sector, including financing institutions and real estate development companies.
