Real estate expert Nasser Al-Ahli praised the digital property document project, which aims to modernize the property registration system, emphasizing that the shift to e-documents will speed up transactions and simplify procedures for citizens. He noted that the new system allows registration and property transfers to be completed in just 48 hours, compared to the lengthy processes of the current paper-based system, which can take several months.
Benefits of the E-Document
– Enables users to submit applications and pay fees electronically.
– Utilizes technologies such as QR codes, barcodes, and GIS to link property data.
– Provides a comprehensive database of over 300,000 properties with a historical record spanning more than a century.
Challenges of Digital Transition
Al-Ahli explained that around 70% of property documents are still paper-based (“red documents”), delaying their conversion to the e-system and affecting market activity. He also pointed out that some engineering offices handle the required surveying processes, which can take between 3 to 8 months, with no clear timeline for completion.
Call for Improved Mechanisms
Al-Ahli urged authorities to set a fixed deadline for the conversion process and enhance transparency in surveying procedures, particularly for projects linked to social housing programs like “Mazaya.” He stressed that accelerating these procedures would support real estate transactions and ease the burden on citizens.