Several property development projects in Klang Valley have impressed members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), USA.
According to Deborah Malone, NAHB's chief operating officer and the International Housing Association (IHA) Secretariat, Malaysia is a pioneer in using best practices to create high-quality housing.
She spoke at the 2022 IHA Interim Meeting, hosted by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA) here last week, about the considerable efforts underway to provide eco-friendly, consumer-focused housing communities.
Members from the United States, Australia, Japan, Norway, Indonesia, and Malaysia attended the meeting in person, while Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, and South Africa participated online through Zoom.
Some members visited the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), as well as local developments such as TRX Residences at the Tun Razak Exchange, Gamuda Cove, and three projects in Setia Alam: De Cemara and ByWater Homes by SP Setia Bhd, and Eco Ardence.
According to Malone, IHA members were thrilled to learn about KPKT's forward-thinking housing policy, particularly its efforts to embrace and plan for a changing housing market that represents the needs and preferences of the community, including the younger generation.
"We were in awe with the construction taking place at Gamuda Cove, Tun Razak Exchange, Setia Alam, and Eco Ardence. The Malaysian housing industry undoubtedly has a bright future and we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from our colleagues here," she said in a statement issued by REHDA.
IHA was established 35 years ago to provide a unique housing policy and solutions forum, bringing together housing sector leaders from countries around the world.
The IHA's growing membership includes both industrialised and developing countries from 13 countries across six continents.
REHDA has become a member of IHA since 2018 to better understand the difficulties confronting the housing and property industries in other countries, particularly those with similar concerns to Malaysia.
Datuk NK Tong, president of REHDA Malaysia said the association's membership in IHA is also part of its efforts to learn about the experiences these countries have gone through and the measures that have been or are currently being undertaken to mitigate them.
"For the years since our membership, we have found that the issues we face here in Malaysia are not uncommon with some of the other member countries, and the IHA meetings have proved to be a great source of information and a knowledge hub for us.
"REHDA strives to ensure that our members carry out our nation-building role of providing quality, affordable homes to the Rakyat effectively and efficiently. We believe that our participation in IHA will help us to achieve just that, and more," he said.
Tong said that numerous working group talks and presentations were made throughout the four-day Interim Meeting session, addressing subjects such as legislative and regulatory requirements for industry, social housing, and housing affordability.