Saudi Arabia appoints housing minister from private sector

Saudi Arabia housing minister emerges from private sector.

Saudi Arabia appointed a housing minister with a background as a real estate developer on Monday, strengthening a trend towards giving top government jobs to people from the private sector as the kingdom grapples with economic and social welfare issues.

An official decree said, Majed Al Hogail, former managing director of Rafal Real Estate Development Co, a private firm owned by Saudi family interests, was chosen to head the housing ministry by King Salman.

Hogail will lead efforts to ease a shortage of affordable housing for millions of Saudis. The government has pledged tens of billions of dollars towards the problem but red tape and difficulties obtaining land have slowed disbursement of the aid and actual construction of homes.

Salman relieved the previous housing minister, Shuwaish Al Duwaihi, of his post in March – part of a series of shake-ups since Salman took the throne in January. Since then, there have been two major cabinet reshuffles and the health minister has also been replaced.

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