Manama: Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Eskan Bank, announced the organisation of the second edition of the Innovation Summit in the Social Housing Sector from September 29 to October 3. The event will be organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Eskan Bank, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Rumaihi stated that this second edition is part of the ministry's plan to implement the directives of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and to build on the positive outcomes achieved by the first summit, which aimed to raise awareness of housing services and financing programmes. The initial summit saw extensive participation from officials in the government and private sectors, housing and real estate specialists, real estate companies, and commercial banks in the accompanying exhibition.
The Innovation Summit in the Social Housing Sector is expanding its scope to include a GCC dimension in its second edition this year, coinciding with the 24th meeting of the GCC Committee of Ministers Responsible for Housing Affairs, attended by the ministers responsible for housing affairs in the GCC countries. This expansion is expected to provide a platform for the exchange of housing expertise and experiences among GCC countries and to review prominent projects and practices in the social housing sector, enhancing GCC cooperation and integration.
A dedicated pavilion for GCC countries will be featured in the accompanying exhibition, showcasing housing projects and experiences from participating countries. This initiative aims to allow visitors and specialists to explore various GCC housing models and projects, enriching the exchange of knowledge and expertise among entities involved in the housing sector.
Minister Al Rumaihi emphasized that this edition of the conference represents a step towards building on the outcomes of the first edition. The focus will be on innovation in developing financing solutions, enhancing the private sector's role as a key partner in housing projects, adopting smart city and integrated urban community concepts, making optimal use of land, and developing supportive regulatory and legislative frameworks. Additionally, the conference will include themes on urban development projects and revitalisation of areas with historical and heritage identities.
The conference is expected to attract wide participation from officials, experts, and specialists both from within and outside the Kingdom, as well as representatives of the public and private sectors. It will serve as a platform for exchanging expertise, showcasing best practices, and discussing future challenges and opportunities in the social housing sector, thereby contributing to its sustainability and supporting comprehensive development in the Kingdom.
The accompanying exhibition will see participation from real estate companies, banks, and financing institutions, showcasing the latest housing projects and financing programmes. This will provide citizens with information on available options for obtaining suitable housing.
Abdulla Taleb, General Manager of Eskan Bank, affirmed that the second edition of the Innovation Summit reflects a commitment to developing the partnership between the government and private sectors. It aims to provide a platform that brings together various entities involved in housing, real estate, and financing sectors, facilitating the exchange of views and expertise, and showcasing solutions and initiatives that support the social housing sector's development and sustainability.
Taleb also noted that the participation of banks, financing institutions, and real estate companies in the exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase the latest financing and real estate solutions and options, enhancing direct communication between service providers and beneficiaries. The GCC dimension of this year's edition is expected to enrich the conference and exhibition content by showcasing GCC countries' experiences and projects and exchanging best practices in financing, real estate development, and housing solutions innovation.
Eskan Bank, as a partner in organising the conference and exhibition, is keen to contribute to providing an environment conducive to innovation and the development of financing solutions, strengthening partnerships with various relevant parties, and supporting efforts to expand housing options for citizens, achieving the desired objectives of the housing sector in the Kingdom.