RIYADH — Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (TAQEEM) has granted fellowship certificates in real estate valuation to the first 120 persons in Saudi Arabia after they completed their training program offered by TAQEEM. This contributes to boosting the confidence and preserving the rights of customers as well as protecting the interests of the beneficiaries of the real estate valuation sector in Saudi Arabia, whose number of transactions has exceeded 1,000,200 real estate valuation transactions conducted during 2020. TAQEEM explained that the training program that qualifies for the fellowship certificate includes 16 training courses that address basic procedures and methods, market studies, highest and best use, real estate regulations, principles of urban planning and sustainability, studies of land economics, analysis of finance and real estate investment, accounting principles and real estate taxes, and the implementation of comprehensive projects for valuating and discussing specialized real estate. The members are also required to log 3,000 hours of practical experience in the Qima e-system. On this occasion, Faisal Bin Badr Al-Mandil, acting secretary-general of TAQEEM stated: “Today we are witnessing a significant and historic era in the lifetime of the authority, in which we celebrate the first steps of TAQEEM’s outputs and reap the benefits of years of work. In fact, several regulations and legislation require the assistance of accredited valuers to take important decisions. This batch and the next batches will have a major role in boosting confidence, transparency, and security in the national economy.” It is noteworthy that the TAQEEM has been entrusted with organizing, developing, qualifying, and accrediting the practitioners of the valuation profession with its various sectors. — SG