Manama: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Eskan Bank signed platinum sponsorship agreements with seven banking and real estate institutions for the second edition of the Social Housing Innovation Conference and Exhibition 2026.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the agreements were signed with Bahrain Islamic Bank, National Bank of Bahrain, Bahrain Kuwait Bank, Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain, Khaleeji Bank, Diyar Al Muharraq, and Al Salam Bank. This reflects the growing public-private partnership in supporting the social housing sector and developing innovative financing and real estate solutions for citizens.
Amena bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning and Chairperson of Eskan Bank's Board of Directors, affirmed the importance of private sector partnerships in developing the social housing ecosystem. She noted that the integration of banking institutions and real estate developers helps diversify the financing and housing options available to citizens, developing more flexible, efficient, and sustainable solutions.
She stated that these partnerships reflect the government's efforts to strengthen private sector participation in housing services and benefit from its expertise in developing innovative solutions that accelerate citizens' access to housing.
Abdullah Taleb, Eskan Bank Director-General, commented on the participation of the seven banking and real estate institutions as platinum sponsors, highlighting the growing partnership across the housing sector. He noted that the conference provides a platform for government entities, financial institutions, and real estate developers to develop partnerships and initiatives that support the sector and respond to beneficiaries' needs.
The conference will address the future of social housing, development partnerships, financing solutions, sustainable social and economic investment, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and modern construction and urban development technologies.
The accompanying exhibition will feature financial institutions, real estate developers, and relevant entities showcasing housing projects, financing solutions, and services and products for citizens.