The real estate industry experienced a very difficult year in 2008: descent of sales and prices, and rise of idle rates.

The government is determined to link the real estate's role as a pillar industry to the efforts in answering residents' wish for improvement of living conditions. The aim is to increase the supply of (social) security-oriented housing, make it easier for residents to buy commercial housing for their own use and bring into full play real estate's positive role in boosting domestic demand.

Demand for self-use housing is the driver of the country's property market and the foundation for healthy development of the market in 2009 and years to come.