Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, will embark on an official Asian tour tomorrow, visiting the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea. The visit aims to expand international partnerships in housing, smart city development, and urban technologies, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to create an integrated urban environment and enhance the quality of life in cities across the Kingdom.

Al-Hogail’s tour will begin in Beijing, where he is expected to hold high-level meetings with government officials and business leaders in the fields of urban development and industrial construction. The visit will include the signing of new agreements to deliver 100,000 housing units by 2030, supporting sustainable housing supply and expanding affordable options for Saudi citizens.

Following his engagements in China, the minister will continue to Seoul, where discussions will focus on smart city collaboration, urban facility management, and digital transformation in housing services. The visit is also expected to include the signing of additional partnerships with leading Korean companies specialising in smart construction and urban technology solutions.

During his stay in South Korea, Al-Hogail will spotlight existing Saudi-Korean collaborations, including the strategic agreement between the National Housing Company (NHC) and NAVER Corporation, signed last November under his patronage during Cityscape Global in Riyadh. Valued at more than SAR2 billion, the partnership focuses on developing advanced digital solutions that integrate artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, and cloud computing to improve efficiency and transparency across Saudi Arabia’s real estate and municipal sectors.

The ministry described this Asian tour as a key step toward enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for modern urban development, while driving progress toward raising the national homeownership rate to 70% by 2030. The initiative also seeks to promote sustainable real estate growth by fostering diversified international partnerships, facilitating technology transfer, and advancing the localisation of industry, all contributing to national economic growth and improved quality of life for citizens.