Federal Minister for Housing and Works Syed Safwanullah has said that Pakistan wants to benefit from Malaysia in the development of housing sector. He expressed these views while talking to a delegation headed by Malaysian Housing Minister Dato Seri Samy Vellu, who called on him here on Thursday. The minister said the main problem is the non-availability of suitable and affordable land for the construction of housing units, especially in the capital.

He said the ministry of housing plays a role of a facilitator to investors and co-ordinates with provinces to start housing projects in the country.

Housing policy was introduced for quick revival of the construction industry in order to implement measures relating to land acquisition, housing finance, fiscal concession and legal framework, he added.

The minister told the delegation that strategy is being evolved to overcome the shortage of houses, especially for government employees in Pakistan.

The Malaysian housing minister briefed the meeting how his country has developed housing industry and offered to help promote housing sector in Pakistan.

He also invited Syed Safwanullah and secretary Mian Muhammad Jamil to visit Malaysia to see housing projects.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005