By Mohammed Abu Meleeh

Riyadh-Mubasher: Saudi Arabia's housing ministry plans to purchase residential units from real estate developers as part of efforts to provide housing for citizens, said housing minister Essam bin Saeed.

The ministry is also working directly with developers to build suitable units for citizens, said Saeed, speaking at the opening of the Riyadh Real Estate, Housing and Urban Development Exhibition on Sunday.

He added that land owners can choose suitable designs at the ministry and that developers will execute them accordingly.

"The private sector is a strategic partner of the ministry, which will only supervise the construction process," Saeed said.

He noted that the government is currently looking into converting the Real Estate Development Fund into a housing bank to operate under the umbrella of the housing ministry.

Translated by Abdul Maguid Aboshahla