The Saudi housing crisis can be solved with cheap units, less bureaucracy and innovative financing, said Deputy Premier of Turkey Ali Babacan at the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) yesterday.
Babacan said his government granted free plots and built six million units to solve the housing crisis in Turkey.
Babacan stressed the need to cut lengthy bureaucratic procedures.
“My country succeeded over the past 10 years in implementing a national project to establish integrated residential districts which accounted for 10 percent of all housing projects. It also fulfilled the housing needs of the people and eradicated slums and unplanned neighborhoods,” the Turkish minister said.
“We realized that simplifying procedures to obtain housing plots was the cornerstone of solving the housing problem,” he said.
The system also evolved a two-pronged approach by adopting a community housing scheme and undertaking another for profitable housing projects.
He said the private sector undertook the projects. The projects also included the construction of 900,000 schools and 100,000 health care centers because all housing facilities need other utilities and infrastructure.
Funding solutions included the issue of treasury bonds, legalization of bond issues by the private sector, launching investment funds and the revitalization of the mortgage sector, he said.
People of limited income and middle income groups needed to pay only 25 percent of the cost of a unit initially with the remaining amount paid in installments, he said.
The deputy premier said developing nations have to solve their housing problems because discontent could erupt into uncontrollable situations.
In her address to the forum on the role of governments in the second session on the second day of the JEF, Ireland’s Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan briefly outlined the success story of how her country tackled its housing crisis with the establishment of housing cooperatives.
While people need only pay 25 percent of the construction cost of affordable houses, the private sector and some other agencies pay the remaining portion as part of their corporate social responsibility, O’Sullivan said.
It was the responsibility of the state to provide the land for housing, she said. With easy access to financing the country has been experiencing a housing and property boom. Her government is striving to revitalize the economy by providing more employment and housing opportunities at affordable prices. She added that while most people dream of owning their own homes some people do not repay the loans taken from financing institutions.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute Abdullah Al-Naeem said that the Kingdom’s housing sector made a qualitative shift with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s order to allocate SR 250 million to build 500,000 housing units. He added that the government allocated 2.5 million land grants for housing in the past. In Riyadh alone 40 million sq meters of land was granted to limited income families, he said.
Ali Babacan: Cut the red tape
Ali Babacan: Cut the red tape
Makkah launches digital tools to enrich Hajj pilgrims’ experience
- Second version of AI-powered robot Manarah 2 launched
- Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais reveals Hajj plan Thursday
MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched several digital tools to enhance the spiritual experience of pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The initiative aims to convey the universal message of Hajj and highlight its Shariah objectives in multiple languages.
Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, inaugurated the second version of the artificial intelligence-powered robot Manarah 2.
The launch included several smart interactive screens, a global electronic recitation platform, and a multilingual Surah Al-Fatiha app.
During the Hajj season, the presidency is focused on enhancing the digital experience through integrated services, AI, smart apps, and media, in line with its broader transformation goals.
The initiative also supports Vision 2030 by utilizing advanced digital tools and content developed by local experts to promote the values of moderation and guidance rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
The presidency’s Hajj operational plan, to be announced on Thursday, will prioritize enriching the pilgrim experience and will include scientific, educational, and guidance-based initiatives that reflect its core mission.
Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
- Vice environment minister highlights Kingdom’s focus on human capital, sustainability at Riyadh conference
Riyadh: Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant progress toward Vision 2030, with 93 percent of annual indicators met and 85 percent of initiatives either completed or on track.
Speaking at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Riyadh, he emphasized the environment sector’s commitment to sustainability and the prioritization of worker safety across all development projects.
Al-Mushaiti underscored the Kingdom’s focus on human capital, demonstrated by the establishment of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and the adoption of international best practices.
He noted the water sector’s achievement of more than 190 million safe work hours and a sub-45-second emergency response time with zero serious incidents during large-scale project implementation, which he attributed to robust safety management systems.
The conference, held from May 4-6 under the theme “The Future of Occupational Safety and Health,” brings together senior officials, experts, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world to explore future directions and challenges in global labor markets.
Al-Mushaiti also outlined environmental protection efforts, including a noise and light pollution monitoring program in major cities, citing potential productivity gains of more than 11 percent, according to the World Green Building Council.
He highlighted the success of the Saudi Green Initiative, which has led to the planting of more than 141 million trees, the rehabilitation of more than 313,000 hectares of degraded land, and the protection of more than 4 million hectares.
These environmental advances enhance worker safety and contribute to safer, more sustainable work environments, Al-Mushaiti said.
In agriculture, Al-Mushaiti affirmed the ministry’s adoption of Saudi Good Agricultural Practices standards, with 142 facilities accredited for safe practices, advanced pesticide control systems, and smart awareness platforms that have reduced pesticide residues to below 2 percent.
The three-day conference features scientific sessions, 60 workshops, 20 dialogue sessions, and the Global Occupational Safety and Health Hackathon, showcasing 30 innovative projects.
Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs
- On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief completed medical programs in Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Tanzania, in line with the organization’s aim to support injured people worldwide.
The Saudi Noor Campaign, which will conclude on May 6, is tackling blindness in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The medical team examined 1,731 cases, assigned 198 prescription glasses, performed 60 operations and provided medication to 857 patients.
In Reyhanli district, Türkiye, KSrelief carried out a prosthetics and rehabilitation program.
With a team of 13 specialists, they fitted 36 individuals with prosthetics and 40 orthopedic splints.
On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The team performed 133 open-heart catheterizations and 15 open-heart operations.
KSrelief continues humanitarian initiatives in Yemen and Syria
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to launch volunteer programs throughout the Arab world to address humanitarian crises and improve the health of Yemeni and Syrian people.
In Damascus, the team completed three volunteer initiatives that supported hundreds with disaster response, administrative training, and psychosocial support for women and children. The program ran from April 26 to May 3.
In Yemen, meanwhile, KSrelief completed the first phase of an outreach vaccination campaign in the Aden governorate in collaboration with Yemen’s Minister of Public Health and Population Qasem Buhaibeh.
On Friday, the organization launched vocational training courses in Wadi Hadhramaut, Yemen, to improve the livelihood of locals and boost economic development.
The project targeted 1,500 people and focused on home appliance maintenance, carpentry, vehicle repair, men’s tailoring, beekeeping, plumbing, photography, and electricity and energy.
Saudi fashion event highlights retail trends, youth culture, and digital innovation
- Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves
RIYADH: A Riyadh fashion seminar on Sunday brought together industry leaders and creatives to explore the future of Saudi Arabia’s fashion economy.
Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2.
The agenda focused on three main themes: the evolution of fashion retail in the Kingdom; the role of cultural identity in building brands; and the rising importance of digital fashion and collaboration.
An awards ceremony honored the standout talents of this year’s cohort: APOA, Awaken, Bucketbox, Mona Al-Shebil, Noble & Fresh, Nora Al-Shaikh, Rebirth, Samar Nasraldin, The Untitled Project and USCITA.
FASTFACT
Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2.
One discussion explored consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, revealing that the local market continues to grow despite global slowdowns.
Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves.
Retail experiences — both physical and digital — were emphasized as key to engaging Saudi consumers.
Youth culture, streetwear and sports are shaping brand narratives, a panel heard. Speakers discussed how fashion is being used as a tool for cultural storytelling, with an emphasis on grassroots creativity and community building.
Another topic highlighted the power of collaboration between local and international brands. Panelists discussed the importance of long-term partnerships, manufacturing localization, and mentorship to bridge gaps in knowledge and infrastructure.
Speakers also addressed the future of digital fashion, including virtual design, retail innovation, and new marketing strategies targeting Gen Z.
Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping the regional and global fashion economy was a prominent theme of the discussions.
