KL to host affordable housing conference

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur is set to host the inaugural “Constructing & Financing Affordable Housing across Asia” Conference from April 2-3.

Cagamas Bhd and THE World Bank Group in a joint statement said the conference would bring together key figures from the public and private sectors, finance and fin-tech leaders, innovators, as well as green and disaster resilient housing experts to discuss solutions and challenges in building and financing affordable housing.

“With Asia’s population reaching 3.3 billion urban inhabitants by 2050, the need for affordable housing has reached a critical apex. The urgent need to create quality affordable housing underlines the conference’s theme, “Solution for safe, adequate, affordable housing for all,” the statement said.

Cagamas chairman Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour hoped the conference and success stories shared, would provide insights to spur both the public and private sectors, to collaborate in ways that would enable them to improve and provide affordable homes in Malaysia and Asia.

Meanwhile, the World Bank Group representative to Malaysia and country manager, Dr Firas Raad said developing housing finance markets to increase supply to meet growing demand for affordable and resilient housing, not only helps address the housing finance deficit many countries are facing, but also creates jobs, wealth and generates many other positive indirect benefits, including better health outcomes. — Bernama