Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — “Housing the growing population” is the main topic to be discussed during the three-day Jeddah Economic Forum 2013 starting Saturday. Housing is the most sensitive issue confronting the governments of the world because of its growing demand with the ever expanding worldwide population. The forum hopes to provide solutions and suggestions for the housing issue and also will provide recommendations for government bodies to be tackled to solve the problem. The forum, under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, will witness the participation of Turkish Vice President Ali Babajan, and several ministers representing Turkey, France, Ireland, Singapore, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. As many as ten ministers from Saudi Arabia will be taking part in the deliberations on housing issues in the Kingdom and the region through an international perspective highlighted by the presence of leading economists and specialists from various backgrounds. Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour Bin Mite'b, Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabeah, Minister of Housing Dr. Shuwaish Bin Duwaihi, Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammad Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Governor Fahad Al-Mubarak among others will be in attendance in this year's gathering. The Saudi Ministry of Housing is the strategic government partner of JEF 2013, and JEF will present a proper channel to answer all media inquiries about the ministry's projects with transparency. The number of speakers this year is estimated to be 80. There will be eight workshops which will tackle different aspects of housing projects, ranging from economic and financial requirements to social attributions and expectations. The JEF will conclude with a dialogue session between the Makkah Emir and the youth on the housing dilemma and other problems they face. Sheikh Salih Kamel, Chairman of the board of directors of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and president of the JEF, said the forum aims to come up with innovative solutions for the housing problem in the Kingdom and the entire world. Dr. Abdullah Dhalan, member of the JCCI board of directors and JEF executive committee, said there will be eight sessions all focusing on housing problem and alternative solutions.
