KUWAIT: Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Meshari reaffirmed on Sunday that the housing sector remains a key national priority, receiving strong support from the political leadership due to its importance in improving citizens’ quality of life and accelerating urban development across the country.
Speaking at the opening of the Second Kuwait Forum for State Development Projects (ENCON5), organized by the Kuwaiti Federation of Engineering Offices and Consulting Firms under the theme “Investment Opportunities for Housing and Mortgage Projects: Transparency, Achievement and Sustainability – Principles of the New Era,” Al-Meshari said the scale of future housing challenges requires more flexible and efficient development models that draw on international expertise while preserving the values and needs of Kuwaiti society.
He stressed that the real estate developer program has become one of the main pillars of housing sector reform and a vital component in achieving sustainable housing welfare. Its role, he said, extends beyond the construction of residential units to the creation of integrated urban communities that meet the aspirations of Kuwaiti families. Al-Meshari revealed that the first phase of the real estate developer program attracted strong interest from the private sector across the three investment opportunities offered. He added that the qualification process for developers is nearing completion, with results expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The minister emphasized that the government views the private sector as a genuine development partner rather than merely a project contractor, noting that such partnerships enhance implementation efficiency, improve project quality and accelerate delivery timelines. He praised the role of the federation, participating institutions, sponsors and supporters of the two-day forum, expressing hope that its recommendations would contribute to advancing national development, improving living standards and achieving a more sustainable and prosperous urban future.
Kuwait’s second forum for state development projects ‘ENCON5’.- KUNA photos
Private sector key to housing solutions
For his part, Bader Al-Salman said the forum reflects citizens’ aspirations for a new phase of development, stressing that providing suitable housing for every citizen remains a fundamental national objective. He said achieving this goal requires moving beyond traditional implementation models by encouraging innovation, leveraging private-sector expertise and engaging industry stakeholders in proposing practical solutions.
Al-Salman highlighted the important role played by consulting firms, developers, contractors, local financiers and Kuwaiti banks in supporting national development projects. He noted that Kuwaiti expertise in engineering consultancy, real estate development and contracting has reached internationally competitive levels, with successful projects being implemented both domestically and abroad.
He added that the next stage requires stronger partnerships between local and international firms to create added value for the national economy, emphasizing that greater reliance on national talent and local private-sector participation is essential for building a more sustainable and efficient development model. Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Ansari, Acting Deputy Director General for Investment and Private Sector Projects at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW), said the real estate developer system represents a practical application of the state’s vision to strengthen public-private partnerships and accelerate the implementation of housing and development projects.
Al-Ansari described housing as one of Kuwait’s foremost national priorities and noted that the developer model encompasses not only real estate companies but also engineering and consulting firms, contractors, manufacturers, marketing companies and other sectors connected to urban development. He said the initiative constitutes an integrated economic ecosystem capable of stimulating multiple sectors while helping meet housing demand through private-sector capabilities and diversified financing sources. Such an approach, he added, would ease pressure on the state budget and contribute to achieving broader development objectives.
Innovative partnerships
Speaking during the forum, Mishari Al-Muhailan, Chief Executive Officer of United Real Estate Company Group, described housing as one of Kuwait’s most important social and developmental issues, particularly for young citizens seeking stability and family life. Al-Muhailan said the company has spent nearly a decade studying Kuwait’s housing landscape with the aim of developing practical solutions to address the issue. He stressed that housing is not simply about constructing homes but about creating communities that provide security, stability and quality of life. He explained that homeownership decisions are influenced by social, psychological and economic considerations, making it essential to understand the evolving priorities of Kuwaiti families and translate them into modern urban planning concepts.
Pointing to more than 100,000 housing applications currently registered with PAHW, Al-Muhailan said the figures underscore the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for effective public-private cooperation. He noted that in many countries, private-sector participation plays a central role in housing development and can transform urban projects into drivers of economic growth, stimulating construction, finance and service industries while creating employment opportunities for Kuwaiti youth.
According to Al-Muhailan, successful partnerships depend on complementary roles, with the government providing infrastructure and regulatory support while developers contribute expertise in planning, construction and project execution. The forum brought together representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, banks, real estate developers, engineering and consulting firms, contractors and financing companies. The opening day featured a series of specialized panel discussions examining investment opportunities for real estate developers and strategies to strengthen public-private partnerships in addressing Kuwait’s housing needs. — KUNA
