Muscat: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning confirmed that it aims during 2023 to distribute 23,000 residential land plots and register more than 30,000 applications for verification and registration of ownership, as well as ensuring the stability of 1,200 families as part of the housing assistance programme.

During its third media dialogue, which was held in Muscat today, the Ministry said that the number of families which benefited from exemption of housing loans during 2021 stood at more than 700 families whose monthly income is less than RO 350. The financial cost of exemption stood at more than RO 13 million. In 2022, the number of families exceeded more than 1,600 whose monthly income is less than RO 450 at a cost of RO 29.7 million.

As for social housing programmes, the Ministry said that the number of families benefiting from housing assistance exceeded 1,400 with an amount of RO 35 million during 2022. The Ministry pointed out that it continues to provide housing assistance to more than 1,200 families at a value of RO 35 million during 2023. The housing units programme delivered 53 completed units, in addition to 143 residential units “under implementation” from 2022 until this year (2023).

The Ministry affirmed that it is seeking, within the framework of initiatives of the paradigm digital shift, to render services of high level of proficiency and professionalism with the aim of streamlining and improving the procedures and services provided. To this end, “Amlak” platform operated 23 electronic services in 2022, and continue to complete the operation of 36 services so as to launch all 59 of its services during 2023.

“Tatweer” platform for real estate development services is witnessing remarkable developments, as the electronic bidding has been activated with the usufruct system, by bidding on more than 200 land plots under the usufruct system in 2022. The platform is linked with more than 10 departments and institutions concerned. The investment opportunities service is being activated.

The Ministry explained that it is exploiting government lands in an optimal and sustainable investment way through the usufruct system. It granted more than 500 lands with usufruct rights and more than 200 lands were offered under the public bidding system. The collection of contracts’ renewal fees in 2022 exceeded RO 8.6 million. As many as 400 lands will be offered for use by electronic bidding, as well as offering 250 land plots for use of investment opportunities for the activities specified for 2023.

With the growth witnessed in the value of real estate trading during the past years, from RO 2.5 billion in 2020 to RO 2.6 billion in 2021, and doubling last year to RO 2.7 billion, the Ministry changed its real estate directions to become an enhancer of investment opportunities in terms of products and services in the housing and real estate development sector.

The Ministry has initiated the establishment of future sustainable cities in Salalah, Nizwa, Sohar and Muscat on an area of 5 million square meters. These cities will host a number of housing units ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 units, accommodating between 50,000 to 130,000 people, according to a model that achieves its goals and requirements by providing basic services for building integrated urban communities.

The Ministry is also preparing a layout for Al Jabal Al Akhdar which will be completed in 2023. It will also launch the identity of the same project, which is a multi-use investment destination that aims to raise economic potential while preserving its geographical nature.

The media dialogue was attended by Dr. Khalfan Said Al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Eng. Hamad Ali Al Nazwani, Housing Undersecretary, Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Mutawaa, Urban Planning Undersecretary, public and private officials, and media persons representing various media institutions.