The National Housing Authority (NHA) Thailand in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) brought together leaders and policymakers from ASEAN countries to discuss today’s affordable housing challenges in a three-day event held from 1-3 July at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Thailand.
Representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand participated in the forum and discussed in detail about the affordable housing challenges and policies and strategies being pursued in their respective countries. All the participants agreed that the provision of affordable housing at scale remained a challenge to most countries, particularly those in the developing world.
During the event, the representatives had insightful and detailed discussions on how to tackle these housing challenges and came up with some concrete suggestions. Moreover, all the participants shared similar goals in using this forum as a platform for idea exchange to hopefully bring forth regulatory changes and provide infrastructure to deliver affordable housing to all and move one step further to a more efficient and inclusive urbanization process in the region.
Mr. Krishda Raksakul, Governor, NHA Thailand emphasized that the event is an excellent opportunity to bring together the ASEAN region countries on same platform to enhance understanding and knowledge of the problems related to the affordable housing. Ms. Suchada Sirorangsee, Director, Housing Development Studies Department, NHA Thailand, welcomed the participants and briefed them about the needs and objectives of the forum. She emphasized that in response to the problem of land for low-income housing, cooperation from every relevant sector both at the national and local levels is needed. Ms. Ubonwan Suebyubol, Deputy Governor, NHA, Thailand, presented Thailand public housing policy and recent achievements and success stories of NHA, Thailand. She said that NHA has to deal with housing standards relating to laws, housing financing and construction technology to help reduce construction cost and construction period.
Distinguished Speakers of the Forum (Starting from left to right: Ms. Ubonwan Suebyubol, Deputy Governor, NHA, Thailand, Ms. Suchada Sirorangsee, Director, Housing Development Studies Department, NHA Thailand, Dr. Naveed Anwar, Executive Director, AIT Consulting, AIT, Prof. Yap Kioe Sheng , Consultant, Mr. Subrata Dutta Gupta, Principal Financial Officer, IFC, World Bank)
