Ministry of Municipal Affairs targets 70% public-private partnership: Al-Hogail

Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail

Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail, said the ministry targets a 70% public-private partnership (PPP), adding that there is a long list of activities ready for privatization, such as monitoring, laboratories, etc.

The ministry aims to establish businesses in every municipality. It almost incorporated 10 companies, Al-Hogail said in his speech during the Municipal Investment Forum (Furas), expecting the number to reach 17 by the end of 2023.

“These firms do not compete with the private sector. They are rather enablers,” the minister noted.

Al-Hogail cited the National Housing Co.’s (NHC) model, which helped the ministry enable more than 200 developers, and build large establishments in a short time.

On the other hand, the minister explained that the municipal sector owns 40% of services and assets that empower investment in the Kingdom, adding that municipal investments contribute to realizing the Vision 2030.

This is attained through improving the quality of services in the Saudi cities, enhancing the urban landscape, developing and diversifying entertainment opportunities, offering investment opportunities in the state’s assets to the private sector, developing the activities of other sectors, and boosting SMEs contribution.

Al-Hogail earlier launched the municipal investment portal “Furas”, a platform for offering real estate and municipal projects to all government authorities.