The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced the pivotal role of the Developers Services Center “Etmam,” which offers a comprehensive suite of 38 digital services specifically designed to support and regulate the real estate development sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to streamline the developer journey by standardizing procedures and connecting beneficiaries with relevant government entities through a unified and transparent electronic platform, representing a strategic step towards improving the real estate business environment.
Context of the initiative and the goals of Vision 2030
The launch and activation of the “Etmam” center’s services comes within the framework of the comprehensive transformation the Kingdom is undergoing as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, which places the development of the real estate sector as one of its fundamental pillars for diversifying the national economy. Real estate developers have long faced bureaucratic challenges stemming from the multiplicity of stakeholders and fragmented procedures, leading to project delays and increased operational costs. Hence, the need arose to establish a unified entity operating as a one-stop shop to overcome these obstacles and stimulate investment in the sector.
Work mechanism and services provided
Etmam provides its services through interconnected development pathways covering all stages of a real estate project, from developing raw land within urban areas to supporting superstructure projects. Services include issuing necessary licenses and approvals, providing technical and procedural support, and standardizing requirements and regulations in coordination with more than 15 government and private entities. To ensure a seamless experience, the center employs an innovative mechanism that assigns a dedicated "relationship manager" to each real estate developer. This manager is responsible for following up on applications and coordinating directly with relevant authorities, thereby enhancing efficiency, streamlining institutional operations, and ensuring transparent procedures.
The economic and developmental impact of the Etmam Center
The “Etmam” center represents a qualitative leap in the investment environment of the Saudi real estate sector. Locally, its services contribute to reducing the time required to complete transactions and lowering administrative costs for developers, thus encouraging the acceleration of residential and commercial project implementation and increasing market supply. This, in turn, supports the housing program, one of the most important Vision 2030 programs, which aims to increase homeownership rates among citizens. Regionally and internationally, this transparency and efficiency in procedures enhances the attractiveness of the Saudi real estate market for foreign investment, strengthens investor confidence in the regulatory framework, and solidifies the Kingdom’s position as a modern and enabling business environment.
Towards sustainable urban development
In conclusion, the importance of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing’s efforts through the “Itmam” center is not limited to simply providing digital services, but extends to being an integral part of a broader national strategy to achieve sustainable urban development, improve the quality of life in Saudi cities, and build a strong and organized real estate sector that effectively contributes to the growth of non-oil GDP, in order to achieve the ambitious goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
