Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, launched today the pilot version of the social housing funding programme. The programme is a new initiative offered by the Ministry of Housing in partnership with the private sector in the 5-year housing plan aimed to reduce waiting lists for residential units and diversify options for citizens to obtain the requisite housing service on the location of their preferable choice. The programme agreements were signed by Minister of Housing engineer Bassim bin Yagoub Al-Hammer; General Manager of Eskan Bank Dr. Khalid Abdullah; representatives from the participating financial corporations: Ahli United Bank (AUB), Bahrain Islamic Bank (BIsB), Bank Al-Salam, Kuwaiti Finance House (KFH), real estate developers: Nasseej Company, Housing Properties Company, Saraya Company, Diyar Homes and Manara Developing Company. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Finance H.E. Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, various government ministers and senior officials, top executives from and real estate developers.