PROPERTY TRANSACTION GUIDE

International housing finance workshop to address sector‘s challenges
By Akinpelu Dada

Punch, Monday 7th June 2010

The sixth edition of the International Housing Finance Workshop scheduled to hold in Lagos from June 28 to 30, 2010, will give a ground analysis of the processes and risks involved in housing finance from the lender and borrower‘s perspective.

The IHFW series, according to the Managing Director, Pison Housing Company, Mr. Roland Igbinoba, started as a result of the intelligence gap that existed in the housing delivery system in Nigeria, which manifested in terms of policy failures and institutional weakness in both public and private sectors.

The IHFW is an annual event that brings together stakeholders, beneficiaries, legal bodies, developers, government authorities and all players in the housing industry in Nigeria.

International speakers from around the world will also demonstrate strategies used in their countries to tackle and improve housing issues similar to what is being faced in Nigeria .

According to Igbinoba, knowledgeable, experienced minds will come together to discuss the challenges facing the housing sector in the country, creating innovative ways of improving and progressively solving the challenges in the industry.

This year‘s theme, "Investors Camp: Quick Wins to Housing Finance," he said, was conceived to bring together local and international investors to fashion out housing solutions that would deliver immediate results.

He said, "This year‘s workshop will create a more interactive forum to provide the opportunity to interact, brainstorm, exchange views and compare experiences in informal, yet focused discussions. The theme will address how investments can be made in the housing industry to achieve vigorous results and development in the sector, while maintaining profitable returns.

"The housing industry has immense potential, which can be tapped and enhanced to create better opportunities for people to own homes. The housing market is among the most important in the economy and accounts for a sizeable portion of the production activity of a country."

Speakers in this year‘s conference include the Housing Finance Consultant, International Finance Corporation, Malaysia, Mr. Narayanasamy Kokularupan; International Consultant, Abbey Society Plc, Mr. Jacques Raîche; Chairman, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association of Malaysia, Mr. Dato Michael C. Yam; Director, Investors Relations SP Setia Development Company, Malaysia, Heng Cheong, among others, in addition to over 25 speakers from Nigeria.