FIABCI Pushes Decent Housing for Low-Income Earners

FOR the first time, the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) will hold FIABCI Global Business Summit outside of Europe. The summit that brings together developers, international organizations, consultants and individuals from 72 countries will be held in Bali from 6 to 8 December.

Indonesia’s appointment was agreed by the federation’s members during the 69th FIABCI World Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in April-May 2018.

FIABCI was founded in 1951 in Paris, France. It is the oldest and biggest worldwide business networking organization for all professionals associated with the real estate industry. FIABCI members are located in all countries in the world. The fede­ration also communicates with the United Nations and other international organizations.

FIABCI Global Business Summit 2018 will focus on Affordable Housing and International Tourism Development the topic chosen for this year. Indonesia is expected to welcome 600 foreign participants and 1.000 local participants, members of Realestat Indonesia (REI).

REI chairman and FIABCI Asia Pacific president Soelaeman Soemawinata said they chose the topic because the global federation must care about two-thirds of the world’s population who still live in poverty and are low-income earners. Most of them, Mr Soemawinata said, still live in poor housing conditions.

“That is why REI and FIABCI Indonesia proposed the topic of affordable housing,” Soemawinata said in Bali.

He said REI’s concern on the issue had fueled the organization to continue its campaign on affordable housing for people in the Third World countries.

Indonesia is a unique example, he said, because both the government and private companies work on projects to provide housing for the low-income earners. “Indonesia is the only country where its private sector also provides housing for the low-income groups,” he said.

Another focus that will be discussed in the FIABCI Global Business Summit 2018 is International Tourism Development. Mr Soemawinata said they will mainly talk about Indonesia’s tourism potential. He said Indonesia expects the tourism sector that has faced some challenges in the past, including financial, will find a solution in the meeting.

“We invite developers with inte­rest in tourism but have yet to re­alize it, to come to the FIABCI Global Business Summit 2018 in Bali. Of course, we will prioritize regional potential, especially those that are of the go­vernment’s prime concern,” he said.

Investment Forum

Other important agendas at the FIABCI Global Business Summit 2018 are Investment Forum and ‘B to B’ (Business to Business) Meeting. The programs are designed to bring together developers and investors. At least 150 potential global investors are connected to the forum. Mr Soemawinata said there are 56 pro­jects from REI’s developers, worth at least Rp68 trillion, will be offered to investors.

The forum will also invite three business groups from Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. Mr. Soemawinata said the three countries are believed to be the most familiar with Indonesia.
The forum, he said, will be very significant in order to attract foreign investors to put their money in the country.

Cooperations between Indonesian companies and foreign counterparts will help boost income tax for both local and central government. They will also provide employment opportunities and improve the quality of residential environments.

“It is a role that REI tries to uphold, as the national economy’s locomotive,” Soemawinata said.

The head committee of FIABCI Global Business Summit 2018 Paulus Totok Lusida said Indonesian President Joko Widodo will open the event. FIABCI World President Assen Makedonov and FIABCI Indonesia/FIABCI Asia Pacific President Soelaeman Soemawinata will give President Widodo, or known here as Jokowi, an award.

“The award is given for President Jokowi’s tremendous contribution to the efforts in providing low-income earners with decent housing,” Totok Lusida said.

He said the programs will begin with an opening ceremony, then followed by a discussion forum with notable speakers: Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, directorate general of housing at Housing Ministry Khalawi Abdul Hamid, director general of immigration Ronny Sompie and state-owned BTN Bank President Director Maryono. (S-1)