RIYADH — Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail emphasized the critical role of the municipal and housing sectors in improving quality of life and attracting investment in the Kingdom. Attending a panel discussion titled “When the government works to support businesses,” at the 4th edition of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum, he highlighted the ministry’s five key pillars, focusing on enhancing urban environments to improve quality of life, fostering a business-friendly climate to attract investment, strengthening resilience through sustainability initiatives, and achieving strategic objectives more efficiently.Al-Hogail noted that the municipal sector is closely intertwined with the private sector, given its regulatory frameworks and operational standards. He stated that the ministry has allocated 12 out of 29 services in major cities, representing 40 percent of the targeted 70 percent, while emphasizing the importance of transparency in investment procedures and safeguarding the rights of all stakeholders within the municipal sector. The minister highlighted the scale of the sector, which oversees more than seven million workers and over 970,000 establishments operating across 2,450 professions. He stressed that providing advanced data management services to the private sector remains a key priority to ensure added value and support future operations. Referring to the housing sector, Al-Hogail explained that it has been fully privatized in terms of development, value chains, and financing. He highlighted the role of the General Authority for Real Estate in developing legislation and regulatory frameworks, alongside the integration of digital solutions that enhance flexibility and drive growth in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.He noted that the “Fursah” platform currently includes more than 180,000 investors, with contracts exceeding SR13 billion and encompassing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The ministry has also begun transitioning from traditional contracts to large-scale implementation contracts with strategic partners to ensure higher service quality and optimal resource utilization. The minister noted that more than 190 park-related contracts were signed during 2025, with a total financial impact exceeding SR1.5 billion, aimed at improving quality of life and boosting investment. He pointed out that the concept of partnership in the municipal sector has evolved into a diverse and comprehensive model, with the value of direct investment opportunities in the non-developmental municipal sector expected to surpass SR130 billion by 2030. Al-Hogail said that investment opportunities exceed SR250 billion, including contracts related to engineering supervision, marketing, and contracting services. He emphasized the diversity of these opportunities, which span all business categories from micro-enterprises to medium-sized companies and cover a wide range of services. This, he said, reflects the depth of engagement with the private sector and the maturity of the Saudi market. The minister also reviewed promising opportunities in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, technology, data, industry, logistics, and tourism. He stressed that while the government’s role centers on regulation and planning, the private sector plays a critical role in execution. He expressed optimism about the Kingdom’s ability to attract foreign investment and drive economic growth in a new phase of development.