PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CAN HELP ALLEVIATE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN SAUDI

Jones Lang LaSalle offers insights into Public Private Partnerships’ benefits in KSA

On 27-30 March 2017 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events, Saudi Arabia's largest and fastest growing construction show will host over 300 exhibitors from 20+ countries. The Big 5 Saudi 2017 is expected to attract thousands of industry players from around the world to gain a share of the Kingdom’s lucrative construction sector. Alongside the exhibition, The Big 5 Saudi 2017 will offer 48 free to attend and CPD (Continuous Professional Development) - certified workshops, to help industry professionals develop their skills and knowledge. Delivered by industry experts, this year’s sessions will focus on Project Management, Innovation & Technology, and Sustainability. Speaking at The Big 5 Saudi, National Director and Country Head Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), Jamil Hassan Ghaznawi shares insights on why public-private partnerships are the way forward to solving the housing crises in the KSA.

Plunging oil prices and stringent public spending have prompted the Saudi Government to reconsider its approach to addressing the shortage of affordable housing in the Kingdom.  With limited resources, public-private partnerships (PPPs) could provide a solution to satisfying housing demand and rising home ownership rates from 47% to 52% by 2020.

Benefits of the PPP model are manifold. Economies of scale associated with large-scale construction of housing units lower the average cost, making units more affordable. This would support the government’s plan to reduce housing units cost from 10 to 5 multiples of gross individual annual income. Moreover, experienced developers would be able to shorten construction timeframes keeping the quality of units consistent. As a consequence, the lengthy waiting list of Saudis who have qualified for a home under the current government scheme, currently reaching up to 18 years, would also shorten.

Although PPPs have been a regular feature in the media in 2016, they are still an emerging concept in Saudi. The Kingdom’s first PPP venture, the expansion of Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport, only completed in 2015. To date, there have been no completed residential projects using a PPP model in the country. However, first steps have been made, like the recent MoUs with Turkey, South Korea and China, as well as with a number of local developers (including Emaar Middle East).  The most notable of these MoUs has so far been the launch of East Gate in 2016, a large-scale residential project consisting of 7,000 units in Eastern Riyadh. The project marks the first PPP executed by the Ministry of Housing. 

There exists a strong appetite from investors, both locally and internationally, to enter or expand in the Saudi market. Saudi is the largest country of the Gulf Cooperation Council in terms of both population and economy. However, to encourage investors to convert interest into action, the government needs to create a PPP friendly environment that may be achieved through a number of actions.

First, licensing approval timelines should be reduced. The National Transformation Program 2020 already aims at reducing the time required to approve and license new residential real estate developments from 730 days to 60 days.  Second, connecting services such as water and electricity to master plans located further from the city centre should be done in a reasonable timeline. Third, labourers’ shortage in the market should be addressed, as this has resulted in the delay of many large-scale projects across the country over the last four years.

 

Most importantly, however, as with the introduction of any new models involving a number of parties, a legal and regulatory framework, needs to be developed. For this reason, the National Centre for Privatisation was formed late last year. The Centre specifically aims to develop, regulate, legislate and oversee the privatisation process of a number of public entities (including healthcare, education and airports) in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program.

 

Although still at the early stages, the National Centre for Privatisation already announced 85 investment opportunities from 17 Saudi government entities, and there’s no doubt it will come as welcomed news to investors looking to enter the Saudi construction market. Having such a specialised regulatory body in place to manage PPP processes will also likely prevent red tape delays along the supply chain and overall project delivery.
 

About the speaker:

Jamil Hassan Ghaznawi

Jamil has over 12 years of experience in Saudi Arabia’s market with an emphasis in Capital markets & Land Transactions, real estate business development and investment. Previously, he held senior executive positions with Ewaan Global Residential Company looking after strategy and business development as well as real estate finance.

Jamil has worked on Alfareeda & Almayaar residential communities, among other projects, and setting up development companies. Recently Jamil was instrumental in the identification and negotiation for large land purchase for a Saudi Bank & sale of residential compound both in Riyadh, KSA.

A Saudi national, Jamil holds BSc in Business Administration from the American Intercontinental University in Los Angeles anda MSC in Accountancy from California State University Fullerton. Mr Ghaznawi is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the state of California.

Sharing key insights and presenting on March 27th, Jamil will be on site at The Big 5 Saudi, representing JLL in leading their workshop entitled: Spotlight on the macroeconomics of Saudi’s construction industry.

 

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Jessica Scopacasa Public Relations Manager, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa
Vanthy Vhora Public Relations Executive, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa
Jessica Scopacasa Public Relations Manager, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa
Vanthy Vhora Public Relations Executive, dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa
About The Big 5 Saudi

Connecting the construction industry in Saudi Arabia

28 - 31 March 2022 - Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Big 5 Saudi - the Kingdom's leading construction event

Expected to attract 14,000+ visitors, the 10th edition of The Big 5 Saudi brings under one roof over 300 manufacturers of construction products from around the world. 

An ideal platform for construction industry professionals to network, secure qualified leads and close business deals, The Big 5 Saudi 2022 displays the latest innovations across dedicated product sectors.

The event also offers CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified workshops, which are free to attend and delivered by renowned industry experts. 

To learn more about the event, visit www.thebig5saudi.com.

About dmg events 

dmg events is a leading organiser of face-to-face events and a publisher of trade magazines.

We aim to keep businesses informed and connect them with relevant communities to create vibrant marketplaces and to accelerate their business through face-to-face events.

dmg events organises more than 80 events across 25 countries, attracting over 425,000 attendees and delegates every year. The company’s portfolio of products includes many industry-leading events in the energy, construction, hospitality & design, coatings and transportation sectors. ADIPEC, The Big 5, Gastech, EGYPS, The Hotel Show and INDEX are the company’s flagship events. For more information visit www.dmgevents.com.