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ECO News page (2005) This page will be updated regularly with news relating to the Yemen-US economic and commercial relations, and news on the Yemen - World Bank Group's relations. 2005-12-28 :: MISC secures first major long-term charter with Yemen LNG (theedgedaily.com)- MISC Bhd has recorded a major milestone in the shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after securing two long-term charters for its LNG carriers with Yemen LNG Company (YLNG) for the transportation of the commodity from Yemen to the US and Mexico. Under the charterparty agreement, MISC will provide two 157,000 cu m LNG carriers to YLNG for the shipment of LNG from Balhaf in Yemen to Total Gas & Power Ltd facilities at Sabine Pass, Louisiana and Altamira in Mexico. The duration of the charterparties is 20 years each with the option to extend for one plus five, plus five years (1+5+5 years), MISC said in a statement yesterday. It did not disclose the value of the contract. The LNG carriers under construction in Japan now were scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2009 and start operations between April and September the same year. MISC said the charterparties represented a major milestone for MISC in the LNG business, as it was the company’s first long-term charter deal with a major third party client. YLNG is a company incorporated in Bermuda. The YLNG project involved the construction and operation of natural gas liquefaction plant plus associated pipelines and storage and port facilities at Balhaf Port. 2005-12-27 :: New Oil and Gas Discoveries in Shabwa (yobserver.com)- Chairman of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority (PEPA) Nabil Al-Gawzi has announced new oil and gas discoveries in the Shabwa basin. New explorations have confirmed the existence of promising reserves in the province, he said, added that new explorations in Al-Nalan field in Shabwa confirmed continuity of the extension of the bedrock. Al-Gawzi said that the new discoveries were not part of the exploration works. International companies have been rewarded with work in eastern areas of the Hadramout and Maharah provinces as well as promising sedimentary areas between Aden and Abyan. In Yemen, there are 11 productive blocks, 21 exploration blocks, 13+ under negotiation, 28 open blocks for investment, and 14 under promotion in accordance with a third international bid, Al-Gawzi said. Three international oil companies have offered to operate three blocks located in deep waters, he added. The authority expects future exploration blocks shortly, with the deep waters having become a key part of the country’s oil map. Al-Gawzi said that the authority oil exploration strategy in Yemen was to focus on technological development in attracting international companies to market a large number of blocks. The authority, he said, was expecting further successes over the years to come. 2005-12-15 :: World Bank Approves A US$ 25 Million Credit To Improve Fisheries (harolddoan.com)- The World Bank today approved a US$25 million credit to the Government of Yemen to improve fisheries resource management and conservation in Yemen. Yemen with a coastline of 2,230 km has valuable fisheries resources. The fisheries sector is the second most important source of export revenues for Yemen amounting to US$210 million in 2004. The rich fisheries resources have become a major source of employment and income for some of the poorest population in Yemen who currently inhabit the coastal rural areas. These rural populations have few other income-earning opportunities as agriculture is limited by the availability of fresh water. The sustainable development of the fisheries sector is therefore playing an important role in Yemen’s poverty reduction strategy. “The project will have a wide ranging beneficial impact in Yemen and will allow artisan fishermen to derive increased incomes through better fish handling, quality and marketing. The improved quality of fish will promote local health safety and allow Yemen to sustain its fresh fish exports,” commented TrayambkeshwarSinha, Project Task Team Leader. To mange fisheries resources in a sustainable manner, Yemen needs improved planning information and research, and clear fisheries management plans for effective fishing monitoring, control, surveillance. In addition, infrastructure and institutional capacity needs to be strengthened to foster the growth of a modern fisheries sector capable of producing and regularly supplying good quality fish to foreign and local markets. In response to these challenges, the Government of Yemen is working in partnership with donors in implementing the Fisheries Sector Development Strategy which focuses on improving fisheries sector management and infrastructure. In its first year, the Fisheries Management and Conservation Project will be launched in all coastal Governorates along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden coast. The project will improve support to artisan fishermen through improved fish landing and auction facilities. Ice plants for improved fish preservation will also be provided. The project will also help the Ministry of Fisheries undertake more effective fisheries research, resource management planning, and fish landing regulation activities for sustainable management and conservation of fisheries resources. “The improved management of fisheries sector will allow Yemen to sustain and conserve its rich fisheries resource for the benefit of its future generations,”Sinha added. The Credit for the Fisheries Resource Management and Conservation Project has a maturity of 40 years, including a 10-year grace period. 2005-12-15 :: NGOs call for facilitating Yemen accession to WTO (yementimes.com)- A workgroup set up by several Yemeni Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) has recently requested the World Trade Organization’s ministerial council to ease the procedures for Yemen entry in the WTO, to write-off its debts and to facilitate fair trade with Yemen and its underdeveloped counterparts. In its third campaign, the workgroup, led by Ms Ramziyah al-Eryani, stressed on the necessity of joining forces of all popular and official activists and the enhancement of their partnership for the purpose of serving the Yemeni society. She has pointed out that this global campaign for fighting poverty calls on the WTO to facilitate procedures for Yemen to join the organization with easy conditions in line with the principled commitment of assisting the developing countries and poor peoples and expansion the base of participation. Yemeni NGOs have also called on industrialized and rich countries to deal fairly with poorer and underdeveloped member countries in the WTO, away from material gains, profit and loss, as a part of their commitment to the peoples of the south in order to alleviate poverty. They mentioned that world leaders have to exhibit the necessary political will while negotiating commercial policies with poorer countries. The Launch of this campaign comes as part of a global strategy for fighting poverty: more than 31 million people have taken part in activities of the world campaign on fighting poverty during the year 2005, in spite of the disappointing political decisions by several member countries including the EU with regards to its agricultural policy. Nevertheless, there is progress coupled with political and civil momentum behind the call for ending poverty; the aim of the campaign is encourage another ten million people to join the effort in order to affect decision-makers. It is important to mention that the workgroup of the NGOs was set up in September 2003 and it includes 21 organizations representing Yemeni NGOs and covers 19 governorates. This workgroup is one of five others aiming for facilitating good coordination among all civilian institutions concerned with taking part in implementation and follow-up poverty alleviation strategy. This is a translation of the strategy call for activation and enhancement of partnership between the government and the private sector, the civil society and donor parties for its implementation and follow-up according to the set mechanism. On his part, the director of communication and coordination office with the WTO Mr. Hamoud Ali al-Najjar has said: “The Yemeni team for negotiating with the WTO has mad good progress with regards to Yemen’s joining of the organization.” He also added that the mid of 2006 would witness several accomplishments on the road of Yemen’s accession to the WTO, pointing that four states support Yemen in this regard, among them the United States of America, Canada and Australia which presented questions and Yemen is now negotiating with it. Mr. al-Najjar added that Japan and China had shown interest in this question and expected that talks with those two countries would be held later to discuss the matter. He also said the office of the workgroup had many tasks to deal with at present such as the preparation of a national mechanism to answer questions of the WTO submitted during Geneva talks, as well as the reconsideration of the two offers related to commodities and services, in the light of remarks expressed by the member states in prelude to submit them to the national committee and that of policies. Then there would be decisions taken regarding the negotiating margin on which the Yemeni side would discuss in addition to preparing documents required for the coming meeting scheduled in the mid of next year. 2005-12-15 :: Yemen encourages mining for minerals (yementimes.com)- The Yemeni Minister of Oil and Minerals Dr. Rashid Barabaa has affirmed that Yemen has recently signed an agreement with the British company ZincOx to mine for zinc, silver and lead in Yemen, considering the agreement to be a good and promising beginning for investment. The minister has confirmed that the sector of mining is receiving increasing attention and foreign investments including latest agreement with ZincOx. Dr. Barabaa has also welcomed all investments in the sector of mining and indicated that his ministry will ensure full cooperation with all investors. Dr. Barabaa has announced the agreement during a recent workshop on the reform of mining policies aiming at the encouragement of dialogue with interested parties and around assisting the government in formulating mining policy. The workshop was organized by the World Bank and the IFC in collaboration with the Ministry’s Authority of Geological and Mineral Wealth Survey. Dr. Barabaa has also pointed out that holding such activities would save time and efforts for the prospect of creating a significant improvement in investments in the Yemeni mineral wealth. He confirmed that by cooperation with the IFC, the ministry is working on the establishment of a clear agenda for attracting local and foreign investors into the mining sector, considering mineral mining to be one of the important and promising sectors and has been enlisted in the national development plan. On the other hand, an oil source has affirmed that the Yemeni Oil and Gas enterprise had raised the official selling price of Maseelah crude oil by 40 cents to reach Brent - $1.95 per barrel. The source said that the Yemeni Oil and Gas enterprise kept the price of Mareb light crude in January as it is at Brent level minus $1.20 per barrel. Yemen’s oil production at present is around 450 thousand barrels per day. Yemen is distinguished by big diversity of mineral wealth such as gas, industrial and construction crude that can greatly contribute to the process of economic and social development and development of the national economy that consequently would lead to the creation of job opportunities. 2005-12-12 :: Yemen, WB discuss Yemeni experience of technical education (sabanews.net)- Minster of Technical Education and Vocational Training Ali Mansur bin Safa meet here on Monday the director of human development sector for Middle East and north Africa in the World Bank Michel Rutkowski. During the meeting, the two men discussed the Yemeni experience in terms of technical education and vocational training. In addition, they discussed the mutual cooperation between Yemen and WB. Bin Safa called WB and international organizations to assist Yemen to execute the Strategy of Technical and Vocational Education that would support the development process in general and create means to fight poverty and unemployment. For his part, the WB official praised the Yemeni experience in education area and the partnership between the government and the private sector, assuring the WB's adherence to back such an experience. 2005-12-10 :: Yemen WB and UNICEF discuss educational cooperation (sabanews.net)- Minister of Education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi discussed with the head of the World Bank delegation Anosha Barnyan the aspects of educational cooperation. They have also discussed the implementation of some educational projects which are implemented by Social Fund for Development and funded by theWB within basic education national strategy. Al-Jawfi appreciated WB support for the educational process in Yemen. Meanwhile, al-Jawfi discussed with UNICEF representative to Yemen Ramsh Shrastan horizons of the educational cooperation between the ministry and the UN organization. They have also discussed the programs implemented by UNICEF in rural areas. 2005-12-10 :: Prime minister meets WB delegation (sabanews.net)- Prime Minister Abdul Kader Ba-Jammal discussed with the World Bank vice president for Middle East region Christian Broatman,the results of the comprehensive reforms program. They evaluated the implemented stages of the comprehensive program of reform in addition to what would be implemented during the forth coming six months according to what had been inked on with WB during the last visit of President Saleh to Washington. Ba-Jammal confirmed that the program would be adopted by the government especially what is related to the development of the government's capabilities in different corporations. The WB official said that the WB's administration is highly concerned with Yemen, saying that the WB hopes that what haven achieved by the Yemeni government would lead for reforming the situations in different fields. 2005-12-08 :: WB vice president arrives in Sana'a (sabanews.net)- World Bank Vice President for Middle East and North Africa Christian Portman arrived on Thursday for several-day official visit to Yemen. In his visit, the WB official will meet Yemeni officials in the government to discuss the economic cooperation between Yemen and WB. Portman said that the visit is to follow up development projects funded by the WB. 2005-12-03 :: Custom authority, US embassy sign cooperation agreement (sabanews.net)- A cooperation agreement was signed here on Saturday between the Custom Institute and the American Embassy in Sana'a. Assistant deputy chairman of the Custom Authority Dr. Abdul-Razaq al-Marani told Saba that the agreement came within the framework of cooperation program between the authority and the embassy. The program included four training courses in field of custom to be organized in Aden, Mukala, Hodeida and Sana'a targeting the employees at the Custom Authority offices in those cities, al-Marani said The courses are funded by the US Agency for International Development(USAID) 2005-11-26 :: Co-operation Vital for Development, Sofan (yobserver.com)- Ahmed Sofan, the deputy Premier and Minister of Planning of International cooperation, has stressed the need for increased partnership between all involved in development, including local authorities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. In a meeting to discuss the plans of some governorates for a third five-year development plan for poverty reduction, Sofan said he appreciated the efforts made a preparing the plans at a local level. “During the previous period, Yemen witnessed several achievements in field of the development, in spite of all obstacles,” he said. He added that he hoped that the meeting would provide several recommendations to help towards reaching the goals of their five year plans.The meeting, organized by the ministry, brought together officials from the planning offices, the private sector and non-governmental organization representatives in Saada, Al-Jawf, Amran, Marib and Sana’a provinces. Abdul-Waheed Al-Bokhiti, Sana'a governor delivered a welcome speech to the meeting in which he expressed his thanks for the ministry’s organization of the meeting.But he added: “We not only need to be holding meetings, we also need for training courses on drafting plans of the development.” He said that the meeting was a good chance to discuss the provinces’ plans and to create recommendations that would contribute in achieving development goals.He said that involvement of local authorities in drawing up development plans would help to boost decentralization. Dr. Mohammed Al-Hawari, deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation debated the policies, challenges and objectives of the third plan. Participants listened to papers from representatives of the private sector and non-governmental organizations as to the problems facing them. In return they gave their suggestions in how to improve their role in the development process of the country.The ministry has held similar meetings in Aden, Taiz and Hadramout provinces, bringing together planning officials, private sector representatives and civil society organizations. 2005-11-23 :: Deputy education minister praises WB support (sabanews.net)- Deputy Education Minister Abdul-Aziz bin Habtour met here on Wednesday with the World Bank delegation headed by the director of education sector of the WB. In the meeting, bin Habtour discussed with them fields of educational cooperation between Yemen and WB and horizons of strengthening them. The meeting discussed the National Strategy for Basic Education and its priorities to enhance the educational sector and needed support in thisregard. Bin Habtour highly appreciated efforts of the WB in supporting the Education Ministry, specially its aid to make the the National Strategy for Basic Education a success. 2005-11-23 :: President Saleh receives American ambassador (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received here on Wednesday the ambassador of USA to Sana'a Thomas Krajeski. In the meeting the two discussed the bilateral relations and terms of mutual cooperation between the two countries after the successful visit of president Saleh to the US. They also reviewed talks between president Saleh with American president Gorge W. Bush and US officials who have concerns over common interests between the two countries. Krajeski confirmed the satisfaction of the American administration over the outcomes of president Saleh's visit and fruitful discussions. He said that Bush had assured that President Saleh was able to deal with difficulties that face Yemen and that US administration highly evaluates Yemen cooperation on fighting terrorism. He also affirmed that America would continue supporting reforms in Yemen and democratic trends and that it support Yemen to get more aids from international organizations and donor countries. 2005-11-20 :: Yemen Working for Success of Millennium Development Goals (yobserver.com)- The Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) John J. Danilovich has expressed his continued support to help Yemen works towards achieving its Millennium development goals by 2015. Danilovich, in a meeting with President Ali Abdullah Saleh last week, said he valued Yemen’s achievements in developing its infrastructure to help achieve the Millennium Goals. President Saleh also met Andrew S. Natsios, the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to discuss mutual cooperation between Yemen and the US agency. President Saleh and Danilovich discussed the bilateral ties between Yemen and the MCC and how to improve current cooperation so that Yemen can qualify to gain its backing to realize the Millennium development goals. He confirmed the willingness of Yemen to continue with its reform program to serve national interests, pointing out to the achievements of Yemen in fighting terror. President Saleh said he appreciated the aid and projects carried out by the agency in Yemen, and said he hoped for further cooperation in the future. Danilovich said that USAID was willing to increase its aid to support development projects in Yemen. Yemen is preparing its plans for improving its performance in the policies which the Millennium Challenge Corporation evaluates. A committee, headed by Deputy Primer Minister Ahmed Sofan, held a meeting last month to discuss arrangements by Yemen to reply to the corporation’s answers on its policies and to carry out the requirements of getting assistance from the corporation. The US corporation has announced the selection of the first seven countries eligible to apply for Threshold Program assistance which includes Yemen. This program is open to countries that came close to, but did not qualify for, Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) eligibility but have demonstrated a commitment to meeting MCA’s selection criteria. The MCC believes that a sound policy framework creates an environment where development assistance can be at its most effective, and so has designed the Threshold Program to help countries that are committed to making policy reforms improve their performance in areas of ruling justly, encouraging economic freedom, and investing in people. Albania, East Timor, Kenya, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen have all been invited to submit their plans for improving performance. The MCC and USAID will both assess the proposals based on the political commitment of each country to undertake reforms. However, although the Threshold Program is designed as a way to help countries work towards Millennium Challenge Account eligibility, simply participating in this program will not guarantee that they will qualify for MCA selection. Success under the Threshold Program will be judged based only on concrete and significant efforts made by governments. Yemen is an important US ally in the war on terrorism. The US is committed to developing a healthy, educated population with access to jobs and other economic opportunities. USAID supports Yemen’s government in its efforts to decentralize and strengthen democratic government, develop the country and fight terror. It also works with the government to gain the support of tribal leaders through programs focusing on the five remote tribal governorates of Amran, Saada, Al-Jawf, Marib and Shabwa, which have traditionally had few services. In these regions, USAID is working to reform the economic, education, and health care system to create jobs, increase incomes, improve health and education, and strengthen community roles and democratic institutions. The main programs of the US agency are expanding health care for mothers and children, as only 22 % of women have a midwife or other trained people to help them with their delivery, and 82 children out of 1,000 die before the age of one. The agency is supporting efforts of Yemen to improve basic education, especially for women and girls. The Government of Yemen has made the expansion of primary education a priority, although enrollment rates remain low. Only 67 % of boys attend primary school and even fewer girls - just 40%. Only 25% of women can read and write, and 68% of men are literate. To assist the government in reforming its education system, USAID has developed new programs to improve the teaching of reading, writing and mathematics, and offers adult literacy and life skills classes. It conducts in-service training for teachers, prepares and distributes teaching materials and textbooks, and builds schools in needy communities. In addition, USAID supports the government’s decentralization goals in the education sector by providing officials at the governorate and district levels training in planning, budgeting, and management. USAID also helps to increase incomes in rural areas, where 16% of the population live on less than US$1 a day. Poverty is even more pronounced in the remote areas where USAID works. To increase incomes in rural areas, USAID helps small farmers, especially women, to grow crops, raise animals and find markets for their products. To provide further training for farmers and farm-related businesses, USAID encourages reform by collaborating with the Yemeni agricultural colleges and the Ministry of Agriculture. It trains staff at the local and national offices of the Ministry of Agriculture to help them improve their services for poor farmers. Assistance is also used to provide credit for businesses and households working in the agriculture sector, rationalize livestock importations from the Horn of Africa, and establish veterinary services and rules for imported livestock. 2005-11-20 :: Yemen, WB discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed Sofan confirmed at a meeting with the regional director for the World Bank Emanuel Mebi Yemen's desire to develop its relations with the bank so that it manages to obtain more aid. Sofan asserted that Yemen is witnessing a good economic situation that its economic growth ranges between 8-10 per cent and that it would continue to increase in the next five years. On the other hand, Mebi pointed out that the bank's strategic aid which would be offered to Yemen within the next three years would include the financial and technical fields. He also clarified that Yemen could make use of easy debts opportunity offered by the bank repayable in forty years without interest, and a ten-year time of extra allowance. The meeting exposed a report over the WB assistance in 2002 in addition to the second development plan as well as poverty fighting strategy. 2005-11-19 :: World Bank Vocational Training Talks (yobserver.com)- Representatives of the World Bank (WB) held talkslast Wednesday with Ali Mansur Safa, the Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training. Jilian Birkinz, a technical education expert and leader of the WB delegation, discussed the goals and current progress of the WB’s Vocational Training Project. The project aims to provide assistance to restructure the technical and vocational education in Yemen. Safa and Birkinz discussed the steps and expected timeframe for the completion of the WB financed project, which is now in its second phase The minister said he appreciated the bank’s support of technical education and vocational training in Yemen. He also welcomed the further assistance offered by the WB backing Yemen’s national strategy for education, including the construction of several schools and institutes. 2005-11-19 :: Health Organization Survey Success (yobserver.com)- When the health organization Partners for Health Reformplus (PHRplus) began their work in Yemen two years ago, they knew their health surveys would be no easy task. However, speaking at press conference last week in Sana’a, the organization’s leaders spoke proudly of its work in Yemen to achieve a set of US Agency of International Development (USAID)-backed health and environmental health survey programs. For two years the organization have been working on surveys of the provision of health facilities, as well as health information and management systems, environmental hygiene systems and mapping across Yemen. The project is developing a database that will be useful in further decentralization of health services. The work was conducted in five underdeveloped provinces: Saada, Shabwa, Al-Jawf, Amran, and Marib. Dr. Ahmed Ateeq, a senior consultant at the USAID, and Cherri Rassas, the PHRplus director, said that since it resumed operations in Yemen in October 2003, USAID has been assisting the health ministry in improving the health services in five provinces selected by President Saleh and President Bush. Rassas said that the project focused on those five provinces because they were disadvantaged. However, she said the teams had faced many difficulties in carrying out their work, not least simply getting to remote areas on rough mountain roads. Teams evaluated the number of health centers in the various counties and assessed the quality of health services delivered. In one pilot project at Amran, PHRplus vaccinated 80% of the children against infant polio. PHRplus teams are also working in the vaccination campaign in Al-Jawf at the request of the health ministry. In Thula, in the county of Amran, PHRplus experts assessed peoples’ awareness of the importance of sanitation and hygiene. PHRplus also helped to establish the National Association of Midwives in September 2004. Dr. Khalil Gobran, a consultant in charge of the production of maps, said that the goal of mapping project was to gather clear data on health facilities services and their locations. The data collected by Al-Adraee, using a Geological Information System (GIS) technology, also assists in designing future maps. PHRplus has set up a GIS Center to provide computer support for health and other sectors. PHRplus has a small office in Sana’a which provides technical assistance in strengthening decentralized service delivery systems. The organization operates in over 25 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Currently PHRplus has long-term advisors and country offices across the world, including Albania, Benin, Egypt, Jordan, Peru and El Salvador. 2005-11-17 :: Yemen Praises U.S. Help to Join WTO (yobserver.com)- Ahmed Sofan, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, has praised US help to Yemen towards joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Sofan said that the US had offered experts and technical assistance to the Yemeni Ministry of Industry and Trade to train the team of negotiators in its WTO accession ambitions, Saba news agency reported. He said that American support for Yemen was considered one of the positive results of the President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s visit to Washington. Meanwhile, the Yemeni-American Commercial Committee held talks in Washington. The talks two weeks ago discussed the arrangement of the coming annual meeting for the committee, which will be held in Sana’a later this year. The two sides discussed measures of for Yemen’s accession into the WTO, and the legal amendments on economic and trade laws needed to meet the rules of the organization. They also discussed possibilities of signing a free trade agreement between countries, which is hoped will open new fields of investment, especially in industrial sector. 2005-11-10 :: President Welcomes President Saleh of Yemen to the White House (The Oval Office)- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, welcome. I'm looking forward to our discussion. I'm looking forward to our continued work together to make sure that al Qaeda and people affiliated with al Qaeda are brought to justice. Today, the world saw with horror the attacks on innocent people in Jordan by killers who defile a great religion. I spoke to King Abdullah. I expressed our nation's deep concern and compassion for those who lost their lives and their families. The bombings should remind all of us that there is an enemy in this world that is willing to kill innocent people, willing to bomb a wedding celebration, in order to advance their cause. And for those of us who love freedom, and for those of us who love -- who respect every human life, no matter whether you're from the West or from your neighborhood, Mr. President, we have an obligation and a duty to remain strong, remain firm, and to bring these people to justice. And so, Mr. President, welcome. PRESIDENT SALEH: (As translated.) Thank you, Mr. President. I am delighted to have this friend -- friend, George Bush. This is probably the third meeting that we have together. And we discuss a variety of mutual issues, and our mutual objective here is the declaration of war against terrorism and extremism. We have seen it during 9/11 and after. I am here to reaffirm Yemen's position that it is clear and firm, our resolve is firm, to continue to work with the United States and the international community in combating terror. Since yesterday, I had the opportunity to have a variety of meetings with members of your administration. I am delighted to have the opportunity to see you and meet with you today, Mr. President. We will have a variety of issues that we will discuss, bilateral issues, as well as issues of interest to both the international community and world peace and stability. I thank you, very much, for your hospitality and for receiving me. PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. END 11:31 A.M. EST 2005-11-09 :: Saleh Meets Millennium Corporation, USAID Officials in DC (yobserver.com)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived in Washington at the Andros Air Base, on Wednesday within his official visit to the United States, official Saba News Agency reported. President Saleh is expected to meet the American President Gorge W. Bush and other top American officials for talks on bilateral relations and other areas of mutual interests. The talks will also focus on the regional and international developments, including the situations in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia and the African Horn. The two leaders are also expected to discuss efforts exerted to fight terror and means of enhancing security, stability and peace in the region and the world. After his arrival in Washington, Saleh held talks with Mr. John J. Danilovich, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, in which he discussed with Danilovich the possibilities of enhancing the current cooperation to qualify Yemen for further support in order to be able to realize Millennium development Goals by 2015. Saleh confirmed Yemen’s concern to go on with its reform program. He affirmed importance of supporting efforts exerted to reduce rates of poverty and unemployment. Danilovich expressed his corporation readiness to continue cooperation with Yemen within framework of the 2000 Millennium Summit. He expressed satisfaction with Yemen’s achievements in carrying out infrastructure projects within the MDGs. Moreover, President Saleh met with Mr. Andrew S. Natsios, administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). They discussed aspect of the mutual cooperation between Yemen and the US agency. Saleh expressed his appreciation for the development aid and projects carried out by the agency in Yemen. The USAID official expressed his agency willingness to increase aid in support for development projects in Yemen. Upon his arrival, President Saleh was welcomed at the US military base by some US military commanders, Yemeni ambassador to Washington Abdul-Wahab Al-Hajri, Yemeni permanent representative in the UN Abdullah Al-Sayedi, members of the Yemeni community, the head of the diplomatic corps and the American ambassador to Yemen Thomas Krajeski. The president was accompanied with a high- profile delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed Sofan, Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, Interior Minister Rashad Al-Alimi, Minister of Industry and Trade Khaled Rajeh Sheikh and Minister of State Abdullah Al-Bashiri. 2005-11-05 :: President of Yemen to Visit White House (usinfo.state.gov)- In a November 5 statement, the White House announced that President Bush will welcome President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen to the White House on November 10. Following is the text of the White House statement: -begin text The White House Office of the Press Secretary Nov 5th Visit by Yemeni President Saleh The President will welcome President Ali Abdullah Saleh of the Republic of Yemen to the White House on November 10. The two leaders will discuss a range of bilateral issues, including the President's Freedom Agenda and cooperation on the war on terrorism. -end text 2005-11-03 :: President leaves Sana'a to Japan, US and France (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh left Sana'a on Friday for Japanese capital of Tokyo to common its tour to United States and France in addition to Japan. In his tour , President Saleh will hold talks with the leaders of these countries to discuss aspects of the mutual cooperation between Yemen and these friendly countries in different fields, especially economic cooperation and fighting terror. He will exchange with them viewpoints over the latest development in the Arab and international arenas and issues of common concern in the top of which is the current situation in Palestine and Iraq. Upon his departure, President Saleh stated to Saba that he would meet Japanese Emperor and Prime Minister. He said he would meet US President George W. Bush, French President Jacques Chirac and other top officials in United States and France. The goal of the tour is to enhance bilateral relations between Yemen and these countries and discuss the current international and regional developments in Iraq, Palestine and Somalia. He pointed out that the he would discuss with officials in three countries efforts exerted to fight terrorism and means of improving security and stability in the region and whole world. "We are in Yemen concerning to bolster our ties with our friends and partners in world even in sphere of fighting terror, developing democratic dialogue or economic cooperation," he said. He said that the tour would be a good chance to review Yemeni experiences in political and economic reforms as well as in fighting terror. The tour is also opportunity to exchange viewpoints over reforming organization of United Nations to make its role more effective. He highlighted level of the relations between Yemen and Japan, United States and France, wishing further cooperation with these countries. He appreciated aid offered by these countries to support democracy and development in Yemen, saying that the tour would be an opportunity to call businessmen in Japan, US and France to invest in Yemen. 2005-10-30 :: Yemen, IDA to meet next November in Washington (sabanews.net)- Yemen and the International Development Agency IDA is to hold a meeting by the mid of November in Washington. During the meeting, the two sides will sign a loan agreement to finance the 5th fisheries project at a cost of $ 32 million. The Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdullah Al-Shater said that the World Bank would contribute in the project with $25 million and the European Union with $7 million in the project. 2005-10-29 :: IFC Office to Open in Yemen (yobserver.com)- At the beginning of last month, Yemen and the International Financial Corporation (IFC) signed in Washington an agreement to set up an IFC office in Yemen. The agreement was signed, during the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, by Deputy Premier and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ahmed Sofan, and IFC Vice President, Asad Japar. In interview with the IFC PEP-MENA Business Development Officer, Saad Sabrah, told the Yemen Observer that the establishment agreement gave IFC sole responsibility and independence in running its operations in Yemen. “It means that the government of Yemen recognizes the IFC as an international organization working in Yemen with diplomacy privileges,” Sabrah said. He said that the agreement also gave IFC the right to represent IFC to other international organizations and governmental authorities in Yemen. The agreement does not change IFC plans in Yemen, but formalizes IFC status. “The IFC provides for technical assistance programs to strengthen the private sector and also local authority investment in the private sector,” Sabrah said. IFC Yemen operations are focused on providing technical assistance. “Right now we have very active a Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) program, the “Business Edge Curriculum” for SME business management,” he said. The second is a leasing program which is financial instrument for improving small and medium businesses. “We are working closely with the Central Bank of Yemen to establish the Leasing Legal and Regulatory Framework in Yemen,” he said. He added that the third IFC active program is for the Gender Program in which the IFC tries to promote Yemeni women in a number of areas. “We are, he said, “in the early stage in this program.” Sabrah said the IFC also has a program studying the Yemen banking sector. “We try to find out how IFC can assist in the banking sector through micro-financing programs in Yemeni financial institutions,’ he said. “The IFC will establish a better investment climate in Yemen, so that our technical assistance programs lead to investment opportunities.” One such program is the ongoing investment program between IFC and Hayal Saeed group to finance the Ras Isa refinery. IFC’s continues to provide technical assistance to frontier emerging markets has led to the creation of a new program named; Private Enterprise Partnership-MENA (PEP-MENA), through which IFC has expanded its operations to Yemen. The Corporation’s PEP-MENA technical assistance programs are designed to help stimulate private sector growth. In Yemen IFC activities primarily focus on; enhancing the business enabling environment, developing financial markets, strengthening the SME sector, and forging public-private partnerships. 2005-10-25 :: Saleh receives US diplomat (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh met, on Tuesday, with the US ambassador Thomas Krajeski to discuss the bilateral relations and cooperation. Saleh discussed with Krajeski the arrangements for his visit to the United States on November. Saleh handed Krajeski a letter to the US administration concerned with the mutual ties and regional and international issues. 2005-10-24 :: WB: Yemen clean from money laundering (sabanews.net)- A Word Bank official said Tuesday that Yemen's anti-money laundering probes haven't hunted any case, a sign that the country's finance processes are indeed clean. The measures are stringent, as the country follows suit of well-experienced countries and learns from the IMF-inspired schemes. The IMF and donors, in their verification, found Yemen to be no friendly for frauds of this sort, he added. Yemen's personnel working in money-laundering are well-trained. Besides, Yemen has improved its fraud combat schemes as a key facet of the battling against the scourge of terror. 2005-10-22 :: Committee of running PWP convenes on tenders (sabanews.net)- A committee in charge of running Public Works Project(PWP) held its meeting on Saturday headed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed Sofan. The committee approved tenders establishing several project in water, education and health fields at a total cost of $ 2.8 million. The projects include the Water Project of Bab El-Mandab district, Taiz province at cost of $ 1.1 million and project of rebuilding eight health centers in Al-Jawf province, worth $ 464,000 as well as supplying Barat Hospital with $ 276,000 of furniture. The committee approved compensation of the contactors of some projects affected by the increase of prices of oil products and cement. The compensations were estimated at $ 1.3 million. The committee also approved a report on the Dutch aid for 2004, and reports of Central Organization for Control and Auditing on European aid and OPEC fund loan, and American assistances for 2004 to Yemen. 2005-10-20 :: IFC to support investment projects in Yemen (newsyemen.com)- The International Funding Corporation (IFC) announced it would grant new private investment projects in Yemen an amount of $200 million. Representative of IFC in Yemen Saad Sabrah said the corporation would offer grants for chemical projects and educational, industrial, health and cement industry projects. He said that IFC offers 30% technical aid and 70% funds. Sabrah said in a workshop organized by IFC in cooperation with the Yemeni Cooperative Society for Producers and Exporters of Marble, Granite and Decoration Stones (CSPEMGDS) and the Geological Area Authority (GAA) that IFC works in 60 countries, 21 of them in the Middle East and North Africa, and that it has 600 employees. Chairman of CSPEMGDS, Ahmad Ali al-Shaleef said the marble and granite sector in Yemen is “an orphan sector needs someone to warrant”. He considered it as the second sector after oil in Yemen in terms of its revenues and benefits. Al-Shaleef told NewsYemen that the marble in Yemen is existing in big quantities with 60 different colors. “Every governorate in Yemen contains marble and decoration stones,” said al-Shaleef. Al-Shaleef called upon the concerned bodies to look after the marble and granite sector and to ease transporting and exporting such products. “No single bank supports this sector,” said al-Shaleef. “ Yemen has amounts of marble, granite and decoration stones that may provide Yemen with billions of dollars, but no one supports collecting and manufacturing.” He said the companies, currently working in Yemen, do not even meet 10 % of the market demand. Chairman of the Geological Area Authority Ismael al-Janad said CSPEMGDS should work hard to pursue investors to invest in that sector and to coordinate communication between the private sector and the government to create a specific mechanism to thrive such vital sector. 2005-10-13 :: U.S. Ambassador Krajeski in Amran (yementimes.com)- U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Thomas Krajeski visited a number of locations in Amran Governate Dec. 13. He was accompanied by a USAID delegation headed by the Agency’s Yemen Director Dr. Douglas Heisler. The ambassador discussed the possibility of expanding US assistance to Amran, particularly in education and health. The Americans gave at least $700,000 to improve basic health care in Amran in 2004. At this time there is also an ongoing $800,000 USAID health project that supports health sector reform and improvements. The Ambassador commended the hard work of the 20 health care officials in attendance at a health workshop he visited. The officials then visited the Aisha Girls School in Amran City. The school had received support from the United States Department of Agriculture program that provided funds to renovate, expand and equip the school. The school’s enrollment has grown from 350 to more than 1,000 girls since the intervention. The delegation met with the Head Mistress and several classes, and it was treated to a singing performance by some students. The group then visited the Hababa Center where USAID has recently provided electricity and telephone service. Ambassador Krajeski presented the center with a fax machine, a VCR, an ultrasound machine, an autoclave and an ECG machine. Additional support will be provided to the center through USAID’s basic health care service delivery project. The delegation also visited Thula, where the Ambassador presented an ultrasound machine and ECG machine to the District Health Center. 2005-10-10 :: Test (Test)- Test 2005-10-05 :: Yemen's Industry & Trade Minister: WTO Membership is Necessary (ag-ip-news.com)- Yemen's Industry and Trade Minister Khaled Rajeh Sheikh, said at the second meeting of the country's working party, that the WTO [World Trade Organization] membership is “a necessary step and an important component in our efforts to integrate into the world economy." According to a press release by the WTO, the Working Party for the accession of Yemen to the WTO held its second meeting on Monday October 3, 2005 with the first review of the Factual Summary, which contains the main subjects under discussion, a continued general examination of the Foreign Trade Regime and a Review of Legislative Developments. Yemen, an LDC [least developed country] that negotiates following the guidelines approved by the General Council in December 2002 enabling the world’s poorest countries to join more quickly and easily, circulated its initial offer on services in August this year and the initial offer on goods in early September. At the meeting, the head of Yemen’s delegation, Sheikh said that his country is committed to the accession to the WTO “as a necessary step and an important component in the country’s effort to integrate into the world economy." The minister pointed out that Yemen is highly dependent on one resource, crude oil, where its exports account for more than 95% of Yemen’s total exports and contributed 60% to the national budget. Out of a population of 20 million, more than a quarter lives bellow the poverty line and a quarter of the workforce is unemployed. The minister added that the Government has taken a comprehensive program of reform of the economy in order to conform with WTO agreements while at the same time privatizing many state-run companies. It has also created a National Committee at the highest level of government to oversee and support the accession process. Yemen already has had the first bilateral negotiation with Australia, and the Chairman of the Working Party, former German Representative to the WTO, Hartmut Röben, encouraged the authorities to intensify the bilateral market access negotiations. Yemen reported on the steady progress of privatization, the openness of the oil sector to foreign investment and their commitment to non-discrimination in the key areas of foreign trade. 2005-10-05 :: Deputy education minister meets WB expert (sabanews.net)- Deputy Minister of Education Abdul Al-Aziz Bin Habtour met here on Tuesday with the expert of the World Bank Retchek Shak who is currently visiting Yemen. In the meeting, they discussed the procedures concerning the strategy of the secondary education in Yemen. The strategy aimed at improving level of the secondary education and its infrastructure to cope with the needs of the development of the labor market. 2005-10-02 :: Sofan returns after US, Denmark visit (sabanews.net)- Deputy premier, minister of planning and international cooperation Ahmed Mohammad Sofan backed home on Sunday after a successful visit to USA and Denmark. In remarks to Saba, Sofan praised the visit outcomes, as he took part in the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. During the meetings, he met with representatives of some organizations that have concern over Yemen development such as the Islamic Bank and OPEC. In the meeting, they also discussed the Qatari plan of assistance to Yemen between 2005- 2008. They also discussed the possibilities of including Yemen in the program of assistances being presented by the Institution of Third World Countries, Sofan said. In his visit to Denmark, Sofan signed an agreement of cooperation and partnership between Yemen and Danish government so that Yemen can be included in the Danish development assistance programs for the three coming years. 2005-09-29 :: IMF, WB meeting discussed imperative issues, finance minister (sabanews.net)- The deputy prime minister, minister of finance Alawi Saleh al-Salami returned home on Thursday following participation in the annual meeting of both the International Monetary Fund(IMF) and the World Bank in USA. Al-Salami said the meeting focused on important issues including the international economic deficiencies, the balance of payments in the economically developed countries, the natural disasters and their impacts on economics and the international economic growth, in addition to international struggle against poverty. The meeting also dealt with the initiative of canceling external debts of the developing countries that the G-8 summit approved last July. On the sideline of the meeting, al-Salami met some of senior officials in the two international organizations and discussed with them the economic developments in Yemen and the potential aids from international organizations to support the Yemeni economic and social developments in line with theeconomic and financial reforms that Yemen is carrying out. 2005-09-17 :: Yemen, US Address WTO Membership Technicalities (yobserver.com)- The Minister of Water and Environment Minister Mohammed Al-Eryani and US Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski held a workshop last week entitled “Strengthening of National Enquiry Points and National Notification Authorities.” The workshop focused on including WTO members’ Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) rights and obligations and the benefits of working with the private sector to reach meet internationally set standards. Ambassador Krajeski hoped that the workshop “would serve as a starting point for dialogue between Yemen and the United States in preparation for Yemen’s admission into the WTO and bring about a rising tide in the economic and health fortunes of the Yemeni people. “ The two-day workshop was organized by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration under a Middle Eastern Partnership Initiative grant from the US Department of State and related Yemeni organizations. Similar workshops are planned for Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. 2005-09-17 :: Negotiations on Yemen Admission to WTO next October (yobserver.com)- The Minister of Industry and Trade, Khaled Rajah Sheikh, along with a high profile delegation will represent the Yemen in the second round of negotiations over Yemen’s admission to the World Trade Organization. The meeting will be held next October in Geneva. The delegation will include officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, communication and legal affairs, as well as officials of the Central Bank of Yemen. The Deputy Chairman of the Communication and Coordination Office in the WTO, Khalil Al-Sabari, stated to reporters that the ministry was finalizing Yemen’s application. The application responds to questions from members of the WTO such as the United States, Canada and the European Union. Al-Sabari said the Yemeni delegation would hold a second round with the WTO in Geneva next October to discuss the documents and answer WTO queries. Last April, in its desire to join the World Trade Organization, Yemeni hosted a three-day workshop of underdeveloped countries wishing to join to the WTO. The workshop, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in cooperation with Yemen Ministry of Trade and Industry, focused on three subjects related to negotiations with the WTO. It outlined experiences of participating countries who are beneficiaries of UNCTAD’s Trust Fund: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Laos, Samoa, Sudan and Yemen. Last week, the United States expressed support for Yemen’s wish to join the World Trade Organization. The US support was voiced by the American ambassador Thomas Krajeski who affirmed the American support for the Yemen to join to the WTO through providing the technical consultants especially in the international standardizations over exporting and importing processes. Last March, the joint meeting of the committee drafting public policies for negotiations with the World Trade Organization and the national committee preparing for the negotiation approved its executive program. The meeting, headed by Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Bajammal, discussed prior achievements, approving the re-formation of the national committee to include more representatives of the private sector. On the other hand, the Association of Yemeni Industries had asked the government to implement a clear strategy to develop the local industries before it takes any measures to liberate trade in preparation for courting the WTO. In a study, secretary-general of the association Abdul-Wahed Al-Khafori, recommended that the government concentrate on improving industrial infrastructure. The study also warned that reducing trade barriers would harm Yemeni industries which are unable to compete against the price and quality of imported goods. Yemen like other world countries, takes a number of steps to try and improve its chances of joining the World Trade Organization. Yemen’s joining the WTO would provide a better climate for the country’s numerous cheaply-made exports. It would also increase Yemen’s credibility with foreign investors, and possibly increase trade with Arab members of the WTO. The WTO is the successor of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade which was established after the Second World War. It currently has more than 140 members, representing more than 90 percent of trade worldwide. The organization’s essential tasks are to manage agreements related to trade, act as a forum for trade negotiations, settle disputes pertaining to trade, revise national trade policies, and help developing countries with technical assistance and training programs. Yemen’s progress in its trade and investment policies has brought the country to a stage where most of their policies are in line WTO requirements. Thirty other countries are currently negotiating for membership in the organization. 2005-09-15 :: President Saleh to tour USA, France, and Japan in November (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh due to pay visits to the United States, France, and Japan on November, Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said. During his visit to the United States, which comes in the framework of the presidential diplomatic tour that aims at strengthening Yemen's international position, Saleh would hold talks to discuss ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in fields of economy, security and investment,he added. "There would not be any bargain related to al-Moayyad and his fellow Zaid as some local newspapers reported", al-Qirbi asserted. The foreign minister said that the president would also review with US president George W. Bush the international and regional issues and clarify the Yemeni stand toward them, pointing out that Yemen was and would continue to be an active partner in the international campaign against terrorism. "Terrorism targets innocent people, and terror acts that have taken place in Yemen had bad impacts on the economic and tourism growth," concluded al-Qirbi. 2005-09-14 :: Yemen, CARE review future cooperation (sabanews.net)- Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Omar Sweid met here on Wednesday with the regional manager of the international organization CARE Jonathan Michael and director of the Sana'a-based office. During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of expanding CARE's activity in field of agriculture and irrigation and the relevant future plans. Sweid also appreciated aid being offered by CARE organization to support and create developmental projects in rural areas. He said the future plans of the organization would include more areas and provide jobs for women in the rural areas in particular through supporting enterprises. "All these efforts would help Yemen implement the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRSP)", Sweid said. He asserted Yemen's willingness to cooperate with the organization in order to find new financial resources to create more development programs. He added that Yemen has offered proposals to CARE related to future cooperation. On his part, Michel said that CARE would seriously take the Yemeni proposals into consideration. 2005-09-13 :: Prime minister meets WB regional director (sabanews.net)- Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal discussed here on Tuesday with regional director of the World Bank Eimanol Mabee the future cooperation between Yemen and WB and ways to carry out financial projects. The two sides also discussed the possibility of building a partnership strategy between Yemen and WB for the coming years, starting by the second half of 2006. Ba-Jammal briefed that the cabinet would review and assess in the coming three months the financial projects being implemented by the World Bank. For his part, WB's regional director praised the government's procedures in the frame work of economic and financial reforms, confirming the intention of the Bank to improve relations with Yemen. 2005-09-12 :: New system to eliminate thousands of "ghost" civil servants (sabanews.net)- The new identification system for civil servants launched recently by the Yemeni government should eliminate an estimated 60,000 'ghost' workers and help to reduce corruption, officials said. "We have been talking about the problem of multi-dippers for five years and prepared programmes, spending a lot of money to eliminate it," said President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who launched the project on 7 September. "This time I am optimistic that all government institutions will cooperate to eliminate [it]." Cleaning up the employment rolls would result in 60,000 new positions that can be filled by university graduates, he added. "There are people who hold multiple jobs in the civil service, the military or security and there are others who hold more than one job in two sectors within the civil service," Minister of Civil Service and Insurance Hamoud al-Sufi said "There are people who receive salaries without performing any job," he added. "But I am sure that after six months this problem will be eliminated." Funded by the World Bank, the 4 million euro project is a continuation of a reform package started in 1995 to modernise Yemen's civil service. It focuses on the creation of institutions, capacity, and systems for sustained human and financial resource development, according to the World Bank. "The performance of the current public administration is seriously deficient. This is caused by inadequacies in areas of personnel management, programming, planning and budgeting, to mention a few," Mustapha Rouis, World Bank country manager in Yemen, said during the launch. The new system, which uses pictures and finger prints, commences in October after the president asked the civil service ministry to allow 30 days for those in multiple employment to choose one job. According to the minister, it had not been easy to identify the problem because of lack of a computerised database. As a result, the government payroll had soared to more than 470,000 –costing over 15 percent of GDP in 2005. "People having multiple jobs [create] a good environment for corruption. And when we target it, we target the interests of many people," the minister said. "This is why we are harshly criticised by people and sometimes by media, but we are very serious about it." "We have already saved US $15 million from 10,000 employees who have already resigned from one of their jobs," he added. Multiple employment was recognised as a serious challenge by the country's civil service ministry in 2002 when some 16,000 "multi-dippers and ghost workers" were identified. An attempt to resolve the problem failed amidst complaints by those affected and 90 percent of them returned to their jobs. Under the new system, the minister said, the government would establish a computerised database, set up 22 local information centres, improve capacity and curb bureaucracy. 2005-09-11 :: Education minister meets US Official (sabanews.net)- Minister of Education Abdul Aziz Bin Habtour met here on Saturday with the chief advisors of the US agency for international development Mis Suzan Ayari. During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of supporting the ministry's educational projects, in Ma'arb, Sa'dah, and Shabwah, as well as providing schools with educational materials, preparing programs of illiteracy reduction,and organizing training workshops for teachers. 2005-09-11 :: Yemen, WB discuss national strategy over youth issues (sabanews.net)- Minister of Youth and Sport Abdul-Rahman al-Akoa discussed on Saturday with officials in World Bank in Sana'a measures of carrying out the national strategy related to issues of youths and childhood in Yemen. Al-Akoa discussed with, the WB human resources official Afrah al-Ahmadi, of the social protection official Aqbal Khor and the advisor of yout hand children issues Flabat Khoan, the policies of the strategy and theimplementation means, calling the World Bank for more technical support.He said that the ministry submitted the draft of the strategy to the cabinet.He urged the concord bodies to implement the strategy. 2005-09-11 :: Negotiations on Yemen accession to the WTO next October (sabanews.net)- Minister of Industry and Trade Khaled Rajah Sheikh along with a high class delegation will represent the Yemeni side inthe negotiations round over Yemen accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to be held next October in Geneva. The delegation would include officials from ministries of foreign affairs, finance, communication and legal affairs as well as official of Central Bank The deputy director of the office of communication and coordination with the organization Khaleel Al-Sobari said that in Yemeni side would hold talks with the World Bank and the donor countries in this regard. On the other hand, the American ambassador Thomas Krajeski affirmed the American support for the Yemen to join to the WTO through providing the technical consultants especially in the international standardizations over exporting and importing processes. 2005-09-06 :: KBR to help develop $2B LNG plant in Yemen (bizjournals.com)- KBR and its joint venture partners have been awarded a $2 billion contract to build the first liquefied natural gas plant in Yemen. The Yemen LNG Co. Ltd. awarded Houston-based KBR, Technip of France and JGC Corp. of Japan the lump-sum turnkey contract to provide engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up and operations services for the plant. KBR is the engineering, construction and services subsidiary of Houston-based Halliburton Co. (NYSE:HAL). Consisting of two liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 6.7 million tons per year, the LNG plant will be located in the port of Balhaf on the southern coast of Yemen. The target for start-up of Train 1 is the end of 2008, with Train 2 scheduled to come on-line about five months later. 2005-08-30 :: Yemeni, American investment cooperation discussed (sabanews.net)- The board chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Aden Mohammed Omar Bamashmous met on Tuesday with the expert of the US Agency for International Development Michel Anderson, who is visiting Aden. During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of activating trade and investment cooperation between Yemen and US as well as the American investments in Yemen, specially in the Free Zone of Aden. They also talked about the available investment opportunities in Aden in general in agricultural, industrial and tourism areas. 2005-08-25 :: Vintage Petroleum Announces Fourth Successful Horizontal Well in Yemen (businesswire.com)- Vintage Petroleum, Inc. (NYSE:VPI) announced today that the An Nagyah #16 well in the Republic of Yemen has tested light (43 degree API) oil from the sub-salt Upper Lam formation. The well is the fourth horizontal well drilled in the company's An Nagyah field. The An Nagyah #16 well was drilled horizontally to a total measured depth of 6,284 feet (2,080 meters) penetrating 2,392 feet (729 meters) of gross oil bearing Lam section. The interval was tested at a stabilized rate of 2,520 barrels per day of oil, 1.2 million cubic feet per day of natural gas and eight barrels of water per day flowing at 360 pounds per square inch tubing pressure on a 52/64 inch choke. Two to three additional horizontal development wells are planned to be drilled during the remainder of 2005. With testing completed at the An Nagyah #16 well, the drilling rig is moving approximately two miles to the An Nagyah #17 location to drill and test a potential northwest extension of the Lam reservoir. All of the An Nagyah field production is being transported via a recently completed 18 mile (28 km) pipeline to a nearby facility for processing and transportation to an export terminal. Completion of the pipeline and subsequent cessation of oil trucking operations in early July have reduced operating expenses by approximately $2.00 per net barrel of oil. The pipeline is currently transporting approximately 9,000 gross barrels of oil per day (4,700 net). Daily production is expected to increase to a level in excess of 10,000 gross barrels of oil (5,200 barrels net) by the end of the month. Vintage Petroleum, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploitation and exploration of oil and gas properties and the marketing of natural gas and crude oil. Company headquarters are in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and its common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VPI. For additional information, visit the company website at www.vintagepetroleum.com 2005-08-20 :: Facilitation of exporting Yemeni products to US discussed (sabanews.net)- At his meeting with Michel Anderson consultant of the American Agency for Development in Yemen, chairman of the Aden Chamber of Commerce Mohammad BaMashmoos discussed assistance provided by the Agency in terms of advices on how to facilitate and increase Yemeni exports to the United States of America. The meeting dealt with difficulties faced by exportation of products from developing countries to the US, and consultations offered by the Agency to tackle such difficulties. The American official expressed willingness of the agency to assist in suggesting proposals appropriate for universal development strategies with purpose of making the best use of product marketing and exportation. 2005-07-25 :: Yemen, ADRA discuss educational cooperation (SABA News)- SANA'A - Minister of education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi discussed here on Monday with Naji Khaleel, regional director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) aspects of educational cooperation between the ministry and ADRA. They also discussed the project of restoring and equipping 98 schools in Saada and al-Jawf. The project is funded by the organization, the Social Fund for Development and the Japanese government. Al-Jawfi appreciated the contributions of ADRA to improving educational sector in Yemen. 2005-06-23 :: US diplomat acclaims Yemeni economic reforms (sabanews.net)- Acting US ambassador to Sana'a Nabil Khori Said acclaimed the recent economic reforms implemented by the government as important. "Prices in the global market had increased from 20 dollars to 60 dollars for a barrel, while Yemen retained its price," he said, adding that diesel in Yemen is still the cheapest compared to prices in other countries of the region. He said that "the very cheap diesel in Yemen was always tempting for fuel smugglers. In a statement to Yemeni satellite TV channel, Khori indicated to the losses of the Yemeni economy because of the difference in prices of diesel, saying that the donor countries and organizations would increase their support for the future projects of development in Yemen. He concluded by saying that what happened in Yemen during two days ago in some cities of the country were irresponsible acts which harm the national interest. 2005-06-18 :: IFC partners with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on development of women entrepreneurs in Yemen (yementimes.com)- The International Finance Corporation’s Private Enterprise Partnership for the Middle East and North Africa (IFC PEP-MENA) organized a three-day financial management training workshop for women entrepreneurs in Yemen under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce in Sana’a June 18-20, 2005. The training session is part of a market and product development process that IFC PEP-MENA has undertaken in Yemen to strengthen women-owned enterprises. IPF PEP-MENA believes that unleashing the potential of women entrepreneurs is crucial to bolstering private sector development and reducing unemployment in Middle Eastern and North African economies. To identify the barriers that women entrepreneurs face and other factors that affect women-owned businesses in Yemen, IFC PEP-MENA commissioned a survey to support the development of a demand-driven technical assistance program. Direct Marketing Services (DMS), a local Yemeni firm, conducted the survey. Over 130 male and female entrepreneurs were interviewed—along with a wide range of public, donor, and private small business development stakeholders—during the period April to June 2005. The small business development stakeholders, from both the public and the private sectors, will all have an opportunity to present their input on the survey findings as well as the IFC proposed plan of action at a consultative workshop scheduled for June 21 at the Sheraton Hotel in Sana’a. The report, to be based on the survey findings, will provide the basic for IFC’s program to support the growth of existing women-owned and operated enterprises and the creation of jobs in Yemen. One finding of the IFC study is that female entrepreneurs are twice as likely to hire women employees as male entrepreneurs are. IFC’s proposed technical assistance to growth-oriented women-owned enterprises is not only expected to create employment but also to fill a crucial market gap. “It is difficult to get high-quality training and business consulting in Yemen,” said one of the businesswomen interviewed during the IFC survey. “These are very important to the development of our employees and consequently to the growth of our business,” she added. In addition to the training and groundbreaking research on female entrepreneurs and how to support them in evolving from informal microenterprises to true small businesses, IFC PEP-MENA is conducting studies in three other countries—Egypt, Morocco, and Oman. Generally speaking, regional findings indicate that women can overcome the main challenges to the growth of their businesses and realize their untapped economic potential if they have access to targeted technical assistance. IFc’s (www.ifc.org) mission is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC finances private sector investments in the developing world, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses. From its founding in 1956 through FY2004, IFC has committed more than $44 billion of its own funds and arranged $23 billion in syndications for 3,143 companies in 140 developing countries. IFC’s worldwide committed portfolio as of FY2004 as $17.9 billion for its own account and $5.5 billion held for participants in loan syndications. 2005-06-16 :: WB ready to further assist rural development (sabanews.net)- The World Bank is ready to assist in conserving the soil and underground water of Wadi Hadramout, a WB mission said on Thursday. Naji Abu Hatem, the officer of WB agricultural projects said in a meeting with Ahmed al-Juneid, a local government official, that the World Bank would set up more rural development projects there. He said that his delegation had toured Lahj, Abyan and Shabwa for inspecting rural development projects funded by the bank. 2005-06-13 :: Yemen to submit WTO application (yobserver.com)- The Ministry of Industry and Trade will submit documents applying for Yemen’s acceptance into the World Trade Organization at the end of the current month. Deputy Chairman of the Communication and Coordination Office in the WTO, Khalil Al-Sabari, told 26sep.net that the ministry was working to finalize application arrangements. The documents respond to questions from members of the WTO such as the United States, Canada and the European Union. Al-Sabari said the Yemen negotiation team would hold a second meeting with the WTO in Geneva next September to discuss the documents and answer WTO queries. 2005-06-01 :: President Saleh to visit Washington (sabanews.net)- Ministry of Foreign Affaires started preparation for the visit expected to be paid by president Saleh to Washington by the end of 2005. Deputy of foreign minister for Europe and America affairs Mustafa Noman said that, during his meeting with officials in the White House and American foreign ministry, they discussed the preparations for President's visit and the files to be discussed at the Yemeni-American summit. In addition, we discussed the issues pertaining to millennium development goals and efforts exerted by Yemen in fighting terrorism, Noman added. 2005-06-01 :: Gawf governor meets USAID delegation (sabanews.net)- Al-Gawf Governor Mansour Ahmad Saif discussed here on Wednesday with a delegation from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) projects that Gawf province needs in the agriculture field. In the meeting, Saif confirmed importance of paying attention to agricultural projects in the province. The governor presented to the delegation a comprehensive view on the agricultural situation in the province and its good potentials. He highly appreciated the USAID delegation's visit that aims at studying priorities of the agricultural development in the province. 2005-06-01 :: Gawf governor meets USAID delegation (sabanews.net)- Al-Gawf Governor Mansour Ahmad Saif discussed here on Wednesday with a delegation from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) projects that Gawf province needs in the agriculture field. In the meeting, Saif confirmed importance of paying attention to agricultural projects in the province. The governor presented to the delegation a comprehensive view on the agricultural situation in the province and its good potentials. He highly appreciated the USAID delegation's visit that aims at studying priorities of the agricultural development in the province. 2005-05-23 :: American official assists in dealing with truancy (sabanews.net)- The representative of the US Department of Justice Lieli Asterin currently visiting Yemen discussed with Abyan Governor the efforts to deal with student truancy. In a meeting with the governor Fareed Ahmed Mujawar on Monday, the two officials discussed the encouragement of enrollments in schools, and dealing with child labor. 2005-05-16 :: Hodeida governor meets US ambassador (sabanews.net)- Hodeida Governor Mohammad Saleh Shamlan met here on Monday with ambassador of the United States Thomas Krajeski. The meeting tackled topics related to investments and the support presented by the US government to fund projects in the province. Afterward, Shamlan explained to the US diplomat the governorate's underway investment projects in various fields, particularly in fisheries and agriculture, pointing out to the fishing port and possible support for qualifying such a vital project. For his part, US diplomat expressed comfort and admiration for what he saw of development in governorate's public services, confirming interest in supporting such projects in the framework of the program of joint cooperation between Yemen and the United States. 2005-05-14 :: President Saleh meets U.S ambassador (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh met on Saturday with the Ambassador of the United States Thomas Charles Krajeski on Saturday. The two men discussed the bilateral relations and joint cooperation between the two countries and means of enhancing them in different fields. They also discussed the preparations for Saleh's coming visit to the United States. For his part, Krajeski explained his disapproval about what happened in Guantanamo. 2005-05-08 :: Yemen, US discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- Yemen and the United States of America discussed on Sunday discussed on Sunday the improvement of their bilaterally advantageous relations in different areas. Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi and the America Ambassador to Sana'a Thomas Charles Krajeski held the talks. Yemen maintains longstanding relations of cooperation with the United States. The United States supports Yemen much in field of agriculture and education. 2005-05-04 :: Yemen, USAID discuss anti-illiteracy efforts (sabanews.net)- Chairman of the Illiteracy and Adult Education Department (IATD) Ahmad Abdullah Ahmad met here on Wednesday with Jon Raleh, director of the United State Agency International Development USAID's project for education, known as of YALA. In the meeting, they discussed efforts put by the IATD during in the field of combating illiteracy and bolstering vocational training at the in the illiteracy centers. They also discussed possibility of the project's contributions in the field of training teachers and supplying the training materials and printing curricula in addition to supporting the awareness activities. 2005-05-04 :: US to support Yemen to overcome polio outbreak (sabanews.net)- Minister of Health and Population Mohammed Yahya al-Noami discussed with the American ambassador Tomas Charles Krajeski on Wednesday the US support for Yemen to overcome infant polio. They discussed the moves of the national program for comprehensive vaccination to stem the outbreak of infant polio which has recently emerged in Yemen in a viral transmission from a neighboring country. 2005-05-02 :: WB, fisheries ministry to pursue 5th Fisheries Project (sabanews.net)- The Ministry of Fisheries and the World Bank will pursue the blueprint of the 5th Fisheries Project. In a meeting on Monday, fisheries ministry and World Bank officials decided to pursue the blueprint for its completion and signing in Washington. The project builds new ports, conducts several researches of fish reservoirs and offers support for coastal communities. 2005-05-02 :: WTO accession panel holds meeting (sabanews.net)- The national committee entrusted with negotiating with the World Trade Organization (WTO), discussed on Monday underway efforts to secure Yemen's accession into the world organization. The meeting, headed by deputy minister of trade Eqbal Yassin Bahadar, discussed documents related to the process of Yemen's accession to the international organization. The meeting determined mid of May to review executive measures. In the meeting, the international expert in affairs of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the WTO Muhssein Hilal explained experiences of other countries in this regard. Last month, Yemen hosted an international meeting to benefit and demonstrate experiences of other world countries that joined the WTO. 2005-04-23 :: Hodieda governor, WB mission discuss torrents-based irrigation (sabanews.net)- Hodiedah Governor Mohammad Saleh Shamlan met on Saturday with the World Bank's mission and Torrential Irrigation Development team headed by WB official Eng Naji Abu Hatem. In the meeting, they discussed many issues including the involvement of users of torrential rains in the equal distribution of the dammed torrent waters. The governor praised the torrential irrigation project as workable hoping that, with further WB support, it would expand to supply more valleys with the needed quantities of water. 2005-04-19 :: Sana'a University, WB discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- The Sana'a University rector Saleh Ba-Surah met here on Tuesday with the mission of the World Bank headed by WB's officer of the educational program along with official of the higher education in the WB Rosetta Fan Mel. In the meeting, Ba-Surah discussed with them sides related to the WB'ssupport to the project of developing the higher education in addition to preparing the special strategy of the higher education. They also debated the process of completing supplying the Sana'a University with computers to extend the use of internet in the bind the university. 2005-04-18 :: Planning minister heads for Washington (sabanews.net)- Deputy Primer and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed Sofan headed on Monday for Washington on a three- day official visit. The minister said he would hold talks with World Bank officials on the development of banking in Yemen . 2005-04-17 :: Yemen gets $14mln grant from U.S. (sabanews.net)- Yemen and United States inked on Sunday a minuteof amended allocation for the 2003 U.S. aid program to Yemen worth $ 14million. Under the minute, the donation would be used to finance key road and agricultural projects in Abyan province, and building the fishing port in Hodeidahprovince. The grant would also help fund livestock projects in several other provinces. Reconstructing the Agricultural Credits Bank and offering assistance for agricultural researches, were among projects cited in the minute. The two sides also agreed to allocate $ 500,000 to finance the project of training health workers in Shabwa and al-Jawof provinces that will be implanted by social fund for development. The minute was signed by Deputy Premier and Minister of Planning and international Cooperation Ahmed Sofan and the U.S. ambassador to Sana'a Thomas Krajeski. 2005-04-12 :: America supports Yemen with medical assistance (yobserver.com)- The U.S. government is sponsoring a medical humanitarian assistance program for the Yemeni Governorate of Dhamar from March 27 to April 2, 2005. During this first phase of the program, more than 30,500 people and 20,0000 animals (including goats, cattle, camels and chickens) are expected to receive medical and veterinary assistance. US doctors, veterinarians and support personnel will work hand in hand with Yemeni doctors, veterinarians and students from Dhamar University to provide the assistance. The program is an initiative of the U.S. Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) and Veterinary Civil Action Program (VETCAP) from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) based in Djibouti. Medical assistance will be given to the villages of Dafinah, Al-Senam, Al-Darb, Rosabah, Mankhada, and Al-Mawahib. The cooperative effort between the United States and Yemeni government, with full coordination and participation from the local Dhamar government and Dhamar University faculty and students, is an excellent training opportunity for students of the university to learn from experienced doctors and veterinarians while obtaining real practice on the people and livestock of the area. It is the first phase of an ongoing program for the people of Yemen amounting to more than US$2 million. It also serves as an excellent opportunity for a cross-cultural exchange between the people of Yemen and the United States. The American Ambassador, Thomas Krajesky, visited Dhamar and reviewed the process of implementing the MEDCAP, the VETCAP and the CJTF-HOA. The ambassador, the governor of Dhamar Abdulwahab Yehaya Al-Durah, Dr. Ahmed Al-Hadrani, rector of Dhamar University and Fadhl Al-Aqwa, director of the health office in Dhamar governorate reviewed the work of the medical teams implementing the projects. Al-Durah praised the teams working on the projects and thanked the American ambassador for fulfilling his promises, saying that the population and not just students of agriculture and veterinary medicine benefited from such projects. Al-Durah called for further assistance with educational projects such as improving infrastructures and providing schools with the latest equipment. The American ambassador, visiting Dhamar University to view the latest construction work, said that the goal of the campaign is to provide overdue medical support for people in such areas. 2005-04-08 :: Parliament speaker meets WB chief economist (sabanews.net)- Speaker of Parliament Sheikh Abdullah bin Hussein al-Ahmer held a meeting here on Friday with chief of economists in the world bank Mustafa al-Nabali. In the meeting, they discussed development projects funded by the bank in Yemen and the bank's contributions to foster the development process in the country. Al-Ahmer valued efforts of the bank to bolster Yemeni economy. The WB official is currently visiting Yemen for talks with top government officials on mutual cooperation. 2005-04-06 :: Yemen, IMF hold talks over modernizing civil services ministry (sabanews.net)- Minister of Civil Services & Insurances Hamoud Khaled al-Sufi held talks here on Wednesday with the International Monetary Fund's head of experts for the Middle East and North Africa Sadah Shami. The talks focused on the performance of the program for modernizing civil services and general administration in governmental bodies as well as the special system of combating corruption. The IMF official highlighted positive measures taken in administrative reforms and the program for modernizing the ministry that is being implemented as part of the financial and administrative reforms program. Al-Sufi valued efforts of the fund in offering support in modernizing the works of the ministry and the fund's role in backing reforms. 2005-04-06 :: Yemen, IMF discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- Yemen and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)discussed on Wednesday bilateral cooperation between the two sides and ways of enhancing them. The meeting, that brought together Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal and chief economist of the IMF Sadah Shami, focused mainly on Yemen’s economic reforms during the coming period. Ba-Jammal briefed the IMF official achievements of the government as it is pressing ahead in the financial reform process that include tax , custom and investment laws to facilitate investments. For his part, the IMF official showed the fund’s readiness to offer all kinds of the needed support to help Yemen continue its reforms drive. 2005-04-05 :: Yemeni women should play role in development process, says WB (sabanews.net)- World Bank’s advisor for the Middle East and North Africa Nadarah Shamloa affirmed here on Tuesday importance of Yemeni women’s contribution to the development process. During her meeting with head of Parliament’s sub-committee on human rights& freedoms Mohammed bin Naji al-Sha’af, the WB’s advisor indicated to the importance of women role in political and social life. In the meeting, they also discussed issues related to human rights and freedoms as well as the WB’s reports in economic and social fields. Al-Sha’af affirmed support of the committee for issues of women, pointing out to debates in the parliament in this regard. 2005-04-04 :: Deputy PM briefs WB official on economic reforms, anti-poverty plan (sabanews.net)- Deputy Premier Ahmed Sofan held talks here on Monday with chief of economists in the World Bank Mustafa Nabali on Yemen's economic reforms and plans to fight poverty In the talks, Sofan briefed the WB official on the third five-year plan and poverty eradiation strategy that has been implanted by the government from 2006 to 2010. The key goal of the plan is to improve living standard of the people in the coming five years. The WB official highlighted the Yemeni government's economic achievements in terms of reforms, pointing out importance of pressing on those reforms in the coming five-year plan. He confirmed readiness of the bank to offer all technical aid required for drawing up the plan. The talks focused on possibilities of benefiting the from the third five-year plan for preparing the bank's regional strategy that would include a set of the projects set to be implemented in the coming five years. 2005-04-04 :: Workshop on least developed countries acceding to WTO kicks off (sabanews.net)- A three-day workshop on least developed countries' membership in the World Trade organization began here on Monday with participants from eight countries. The workshop, organized by the Industry and Trade Ministry in cooperation with The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), would focus on three subjects related to the negotiations with the WTO. It would also touch on experiences of the participating countries who are beneficiaries of the UNCTAD's Trust Fund, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Laos, Samoa, Sudan and Yemen. In the opening ceremony, Minister of Industry and Trade Khaled Rajih Sheikh indicated to importance of the workshop's agenda that aims at helping participating countries to access the WTO. He said the developing countries in general, and the least developed countries in particular need support in economic field to cop with the current global economic developments. He added that Yemen has a good experience with the UNCTAD through presenting consultations and enlightening the national bodies concerned with negotiations with the organization. 2005-04-04 :: Finance Minister meets WB official (sabanews.net)- Deputy Premier, Finance Minister Alawi Saleh al-Salami met here on Monday the chief economist of the Middle East region in the World Bank Dr. Mustafa Naily to discuss the bilateral relations between Yemen and the World Bank and ways of enhancing them. In the meeting, al-Salami highly appreciated the role played by the WB as a main partner in supporting programs of economic and social development in Yemen. For his part, Naily pointed out that he would participate in the round-table conference that would start its works next week here in Sana'a. The conference would include partners of development in the friendly states and organizations. "The conference would discuss various economic reports on the region states and their experiences in addition to the possibility of getting use of these experiences by Yemen" he added. 2005-03-31 :: Trade Minister meets WTO team (sabanews.net)- Minister of Industry and Trade Khaled Rajah Sheikh met on Thursday with a team of the World Trade Organization, in charge of negotiating with Yemeni side on Yemen's accession to the organization. In the meeting, Sheikh discussed with the team Yemen join to the organization,affirming importance of searching carefully to avoid negatives of the Yemeni accession. For his part, the head of the WTO team valued steps taken by Yemen to join the organization, pointing out to utilize from the negotiations of Doha. He indicated that the delay of finalize rest measures of the accession would impact on the position of the Yemeni side in the negotiation. The team is currently visiting Yemen to discuss with Yemeni official file of joining Yemen into the WTO. 2005-03-31 :: Yemen, US discuss cooperation in veterinary services (sabanews.net)- The Governor of Dhamar Abdul-Wahab al-Durrah held talks on Thursday with the American Ambassador to Yemen Tomas Charles Krajeski on Yemeni-US cooperation in veterinary services. They discussed cooperation with the ministry of agriculture and publichealth office of Dhamar in launching veterinary services. Dhamar Governor gave the ambassador an account on the work of all agencies working in modernizing the agricultural sector and expressed the interestof the province to expand cooperation with the US Agency of InternationalDevelopment (USAID). 2005-03-31 :: WTO official arrives in Sana'a (sabanews.net)- Official of the World Trade Organization HartmutRobin, head of the working group in-charge of coordinating talks betweenWTO and Yemen, arrived in Sana'a Thursday. The visit aims at completing the coordination process in terms of Yemen'sjoining to the organization. Robin will meet with officials in the government and businessmen from the private sector to discuss efforts of the two country to prepare Yemen for joining WTO. 2005-03-27 :: Mayor of Sana'a, Envirosol delegation discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- Mayor of Sana'a Ahmed al-Kuhlani met on Sunday the delegation of the American maker of environment solutions, Envirosol, and discussed with them recycle of solid waste for energy production. They discussed the management of sanitation disposal in producing a substantial amount of power to contribute to the city of Sana'a. Other fields of cooperation discussed were the production of manures, and purifying waters for irrigation in accordance with Envirosol technology. Meanwhile, the University of Dhamar arranges for addressing the impact of the use of biocides in a scientific seminar. A university official said the seminar would educate a number of participants how unsafe spraying of pesticides can damage the people's health and even the ecosystem as a whole 2005-03-26 :: U.S. official: Washington supports Yemen’s WTO accession (sabanews.net)- The United States on Saturday expressed support to Yemen’s drive to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). The U.S. support was voiced by the U.S. State Department’s Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy David A. Gross during a meeting with Deputy Premier Ahmed Sofan. The two officials held talks focusing on aspects of future cooperation between Yemen and United States in field of the telecommunications and information technologies. They discussed the topics of the forthcoming international summit on the Information Society that will be hosted by Tunisia next November and efforts of Yemen to join the WTO. Sofan briefed the U.S. official on the status of the Yemeni telecommunication and information technologies and polices of the government in that respect. For his part, the U.S. official said efforts of the Yemeni government to improve the telecom sector reflected its commitment toward this sector in order to develop telecomm services in the country and activate role of the private sector in this regard. He expressed readiness of Washington to support Yemen in its efforts to access the WTO, praising achievements of Yemen in GSM services. He considered Yemen as one of the advanced countries in sphere of telecommunications and information technologies. 2005-03-26 :: DPM Receives US State Department Official David GROSS (mpic-yemen.org)- The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed M. SOFAN received the visiting US Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy in the State Department Ambassador David A. GROSS. The meeting discussed the telecom sector in Yemen and progress in Yemen's WTO accession. The meeting acknowledged developments in telecommunication in Yemen including wireless telecom with growth in the GSM market (of two private operators and one government) in the last year of close to 1.3 million subscribers. Both men noted that progress and growth in the GSM market is worthy of presentation as a good model in the upcoming International Conference on Information Society in Tunisia in November 2005. The two men also touched on the importance of Washington's assistance for Yemen in the WTO accession and highlighted the need to realize important ingredients for promoting investment in the telecom sector through the proper rule of law, transparency and having in place an independent regulator. The meeting also touched on Yemen keenness to explore prospects of possible USAID assistance for Yemen to be able to use wireless telecom and internet in education and to promote the use of such technology to reach remote regions of Yemen. 2005-03-16 :: USAID to extend its support for Dhamar University (sabanews.net)- US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Wednesday its readiness to extend support to Dhamar University and to carry out joint vaccination campaigns in accordance with a scientific study. During his meeting with the head of USAID delegation Mathew Bathman, Dhamar governor Yahya al-Dorah discussed the level of implementation of the projects funded by the United States in the province. They also discussed the current arrangements to execute the joint project of veterinary medicine that includes an assessment for veterinary services in several districts of the province. Al-Dorah pointed out to the importance of extending cooperation with USAID to cover other areas of development. Al-Dorah told the delegation that Dhamar University would start implmenting the project of building a veterinary collage at a total cost of $ 13 million funded by the Islamic Bank for Development. 2005-03-16 :: USAID, Yemen sign pact for funding water treatment study (sabanews.net)- The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation signed on Wednesday with the United States Agency for International Development a pact for funding the feasibility study for treating sewage waters in Taiz. Under the pact, the USAID grants Yemen $492,000 for financing the study which will be carried out by the Water and Sanitation Corporation of the province. The pact was signed by minister Ahmed Mohammed Sofan, the US Ambassador to Yemen Thomas Charles Krajeski and Minister of Water and Environment Mohammed Lutf al-Eryani. 2005-03-15 :: Hodaidah Governor. WB official discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- Hodeidah Governor Mohammad Saleh Shamlan met here on Tuesday with the World Bank's mission headed by Tery Senha, officer of the rural development in the Bank. In the meeting, they discussed the documents of the 5th fishery project funded by the WB, in addition to the various fishery activities and implementation of the constructive works in this project. Shamlan highly appreciated efforts exerted by the WB to achieve this vital project that would offer a distinguished services for a large number of the needy families in addition to employing a large number of fishermen. 2005-03-13 :: US promises more support for decentralization experience (sabanews.net)- Deputy premier and Finance Minister Alawi Saleh Al-Salami discussed on Sunday with the ambassador of the United States of America to Sana'a Thomas Krajski the bilateral relations in the economic and developmental fields. During the discussions, al-Salami reviewed the economic developments in Yemen in the framework of financial and economic reform program and Yemen's efforts to enhance the financial and administrative decentralization. For his part, the US diplomat highly appreciated the accomplishments achieved in the developmental and democratic fields. He confirmed that the Yemeni decentralization experience is the concern of US administration and all partners in the development process. 2005-03-12 :: FM meets US ambassador (sabanews.net)- Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi met here on Saturday with the ambassador of the United States of America to Sana'a Thomas Krajski. They discussed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them, in addition to exchanging viewpoints towards the latest developments in the Middle East region. 2005-03-07 :: WB experts inspect Vocational Training Fund in Aden (sabanews.net)- World Bank experts inspected on Thursday the Vocational Training Fund in Aden and its programs for developing the occupational skills, eventually a benefit for the private and public investments. The WB delegation were given an account by the fund director Ahmed al-Hamza and the deputy director of the fund for Lahj and Abyan Abdullah al-Sudami on the projects achieved by the fund in 2004. The delegation gave a good review for the achievements of the fund in training and confirmed more WB support for it. Afterwards, the delegation visited the training center in Aden refinery where they inspected the programs for improving the expertise of the refinery workers. 2005-03-05 :: Abyan Governor meets USAID delegation (sabanews.net)- Abyan Governor Fareed Ahmed Mujawar held talks on Saturday with the delegation of the US Agency for International Development on USAID support for agriculture in Abyan. In the meeting, the Governor highlighted the conduciveness of the environment of Abyan for growing cotton, coffee, fruits and vegetables. The USAID officials expressed the interest of the USAID to contribute to developing the agricultural sector through the construction of more water barriers and dealing with weeds. 2005-03-03 :: Status of Education in Aden reviewed by American Team (yementimes.com)- Coordinator of the American embassy in Yemen visited Governorate of Aden Tuesday last week in order to explore the educational system and what interventions and support the American embassy could provide in this context. In his reception was Dr. Abdullah Ahmed al-Nihari director of Ministry of Education’s office in Aden, who explained the on going educational projects and the importance given to this sector especially with the continuous increase in population. The visit included reviewing the construction of al-Areesh school and other projects that are likely to be supported by the American Embassy in Yemen such as adding new classrooms to a number of schools and three projects in the health sector including restoration of a health center and expansion of two health centers. Mr.Ali Saeed head of planning department in the health office at the governorate and engineer Khaled Abdulwahab Ahmed head of the projects department at the education office at the governorate were among the people discussing the forthcoming projects. 2005-03-02 :: Yemen, World Bank discuss cooperation (sabanews.net)- Deputy Premier, Finance Minister Alawi Saleh al-Salami met here on Wednesday with the chairwoman of the Economic and Social Sector for the Middle East and South Africa in the World Bank Maria Begatow. In the meeting, they discussed the economic developments in Yemen in the framework of the financial, economic and administrative reform program adopted by the Yemeni government. Al-Salami highly appreciated the level of cooperation relations between Yemen and the WB, praising the role played by the WB in supporting the economic and social development program in Yemen. For her part, the WB official greatly appreciated the achievements which Yemen has accomplished them in various fields, particularly in the developmental fields. She said that the WB has ahead program to present more financial and technical support for the economic and social development in Yemen. 2005-03-02 :: Youth minister meets USAID official (sabanews.net)- Youth and Sports Minister Abdul-Raham al-Akwa discussed on Wednesday the representative of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Lois Coronado in Yemen fields of cooperation between the Ministry and USAID. In their remarks, the two sides focused on topics related to the Youths and Sports and ways of presenting the needed supports for these sectors. Al-Akwa underlined the ministry's care of extending the democratic awareness among youths through the Children Parliament and the Shura Council that would be set up soon. He expressed the ministry's looking forward to enhance cooperation with USAID to establish a youth and sport channel to meet with the Yemeni youths' ambitions. For his part, the USAID official showed the USDA's desire to support the the Ministry's activity as much as possible. USAID presents suport for many development projects in Yemen, especially what is related to developing the democratic awareness and the agricultural and social development in Yemen. 2005-02-25 :: Sofan calls on US to reactivate Middle East peace initiative (sabanews.net)- Planning and International Cooperation Minister Ahmad Sofan received on Thursday, the US Undersecretary of state Paula J. Dobriansky who was on a visit to Yemen during the last two days. In the meeting, they discussed developmental cooperation between the two countries especially in field of trade relations. They highlighted the role of the Millennium Fund in supporting democracy and fight against poverty. Meanwhile, during the talks, Sofan called for reactivation of the Greater Middle East Initiative adopted by the United States during the 8-group summit last year. The US official acclaimed Yemen's anti-terror terror fight, saying that Yemen is key ally to the international community in this regard. She confirmed the continuation of American support for Yemen in various fields. 2005-02-22 :: WB, education ministry discuss secondary education strategy (sabanews.net)- The ministry of education and the World Bank held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss preparation of the national strategy for secondary education. Minister of education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi, the drafters of the strategy and the WB director for education in the Middle East and North of Africa pinpointed, in their meeting, to the imperative of the strategy. 2005-02-17 :: Yemen-USAID cooperation discussed in Dhamar (yobserver.com)- Last Saturday, Governor of Dhamar Abdul-Wahab Al-Durrah held a meeting with a delegation from the US Agency for International Development, USAID. The meeting focused on the level of implementation of projects funded by the United States in the Governorate of Dhamar, and possibilities of financing other development projects in the governorate such as veterinary projects. Al-Durrah pointed out to the importance of expanding the cooperation with the agency to cover other fields and benefit from American experience. He reviewed the activities and role of the Dhamar Local Council in the development process as well as agricultural projects—the province is considered one of the best agricultural regions in the country. "In the coming days, the veterinary medicine faculty will be started in Dhamar University at a total cost of 13 million dollars, funded by the Islamic Bank for Development," he said. Head of the USAID delegation Matthew Bathman said that the agency would study means of supporting the new faculty. He added that a vaccination campaign would be launched in the province in cooperation with the university and the Ministry of Agriculture. 2005-02-16 :: President Saleh discusses reforms with WB President (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh held talks on Wednesday with the visiting President of the World bank James Wolfensohn on the program of economic and administrative reforms. The two men reviewed the progress of WB-assisted development projects, meant to reduce sharp unemployment and alleviate poverty. The WB President said the reforms program, which Yemen adopted following the 1994 war against secessionists, has been gaining momentum in tandem with similarly successful democratization and reaching out to women to involve them in development. "The World Bank appreciates that Yemen is struggling to cope in spite of meager resources and over population," Wolfensohn pointed out emphasizing WB commitment to assist in finding other resources in fisheries, tourism, energy or investments. He promised that the water sector would receive large support from the World Bank. President Saleh, in return, confirmed that Yemen would press ahead with reforms on economic, administrative and judicial levels in cooperation with the bank. The World Bank has been providing steady assistance, technical and financial, to Yemen for combating and eliminating poverty over the last 30 years. It has supported more than 130 projects in Yemen with a total assistance of 2 billion dollars. Under the reforms program, the Parliament approved on December a package of administrative and economic reforms whereby the rest of government subsidy for oil products will be lifted. 2005-02-16 :: Yemen, WB discuss vocational training projects (sabanews.net)- Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Ali Mansour bin Safa'a discussed with the director of WB Training Program Alexander Kolyfa the implementation of WB-funded vocational training projects. They also discussed the ministry's plan to prepare a labor highly efficient enough to meet the demand of the labor market. 2005-02-15 :: WB president visits Taiz (sabanews.net)- President of World Bank James Wolfensohn paid a visit to Taiz province and got acquainted with WB projects implementedin Taiz. Wolfensohn discussed with Taiz governor Ahmed al-Hajari works of underway projects and the implementation of Taiz city protection from the floods funded by the WB in cooperation with the government at $76.2 million. Al-Jajari appreciated efforts of the bank in the development process inthe province in particular and in the country province in general. The WB president was accompanied by deputy premier Ahmed Sofan. 2005-02-15 :: WB President visits Old Sana'a, touts heritage (sabanews.net)- The President of the World Bank James Wolfensohn, currently in Yemen, paid a visit to Old Sana'a city on Tuesday morning. In the company of Sana'a Mayor Ahmed al-Kuhlani, the Director of the WB Office in Yemen, Mustafa al-Ruweis and other WB and Yemeni Government officials, Wolfensohn toured the historical city showing admiration for the beauty of the antique buildings and the persisent handiworks in its souqs. 2005-02-14 :: World Bank President to visit Taiz on Tuesday (sabanews.net)- The President of the World Bank James Wolfensohn will be holding talks with Taiz Governor Ahmed al-Hajri on Tuesday as the visiting WB official will inspect the project of safeguarding Taiz city against torrents. The project being carried out in two phases costs $76.2 million at the funding of the World Bank and with contribution from the Government. 2005-02-14 :: WB to assist rural areas in rainwater harvesting (sabanews.net)- The World Bank will assist the impoverished rural areas of Yemen in harvesting rainwater in order to prop up rainfall-dependent farming, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Hassan Suweid said. Opening a two-day workshop on"Reduction of Poverty in Arab Rural Areas", on Sunday, minister Suweid said the WB and the Ministry of Agriculture mean to help improve the quality of life for the impoverished areas. The minister added that the ministry has carried out a number of WB projects for the preservation of underground waters. 2005-02-14 :: Justice minister meets EU, WB officials (sabanews.net)- Justice Minister Adnan al-Jefri met here on Monday with the European Union acting ambassador to Sana'a Rolf Draer. In the meeting, they discussed with him aspects of cooperation between Yemen and the EU in the judicial and justice fields and means of boosting them. Al-Jefri reviewed tasks and activities of the Ministry of Justice in the field of judicial reforms, confirming the importance of the financialand technical aids required for reform strategy. For his part, European official showed his comfort for the stages achieved by the ministry in this respect, underscoring the EU's readiness to putissue of developing the Yemeni judiciary in strategy for 2007. On the same level, al-Jefri held talks with advisor of the Sustainable Environmental and Social Development Department in the World Bank John Bross. They discussed the mutual relations between Yemen and the World Bank, especially what is related to the project of the real states registeration which has been approved by the cabinet and submitted to the Parliament. On his part, WB official highly appreciated the efforts exerted by the Justice Ministry in this field to protect the citizens' rights. 2005-02-14 :: WB chairman calls Yemen for more reforms (sabanews.net)- Yemen and World Bank held talks here on Monday in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal and chairman of the World Bank James Wolfensohn who is currently visiting Yemen. During the talks which included many ministers and members of the visiting delegation, they discussed many issues related to the bilateral relations between Yemen and WB, and the WB projects being implemented in Yemen. They also discussed the importance of enhancing the partnership between the two sides to strengthening efforts of the economic and social developments and fighting poverty. Ba-Jammal pointed out to the distinguished relations between Yemen and WB, making it clear that Yemen needs the WB's support to this period particularly what is relating the infrastructure and developing the local societies. For his part, the WB chairman Wolfensohn confirmed that the WB's support for Yemen will continue through various programs and projects. He insisted on the importance of persistence of civil service reforms and fighting corruption in addition to reactivating the promising sectors like tourism. He pointed to the commitment of the WB and donor countries to increasing their aids to Yemen to enable it to implement developmental projects in different fields. 2005-02-14 :: Yemeni-WB educational cooperation discussed (sabanews.net)- Minister of Education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi discussed here on Sunday with the officer of education in the World Bank Jolene Barkanz aspects of the educational cooperation between the ministryand the bank. They also discussed the practical steps carried out by the ministry to implement national strategy for basic education. They also discussed the national strategy of the secondary schools. 2005-02-13 :: Mayor of Sana'a, US Ambassador discuss al-Sayila drainage (sabanews.net)- Mayor of Sana'a, Ahmed al-Kuhlani held talks on Sunday with the US Ambassador to Yemen on the second phase of al-Sayila drainage project in Sana'a being funded by the United States Government. Al-Kuhlani and the American Ambassador Tomas Charles Krajeski also visited the site of al-Sayila project where they were briefed by engineers on the proportion of the second phase accomplished, 50%. The third phase of the project is worth $16 million. 2005-02-12 :: Yemeni-USAID cooperation discussed in Dhamar (sabanews.net)- Dhamar Governor Abdul-Wahab al-Dorah held a meeting on Saturday with the delegation of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The meeting focused on the level of implementing USAID projects in the governorate, and the possibility of financing other development projects such as veterinary projects in different areas of Dhamar. Al-Dorah pointed out to the importance of expanding the cooperation with the agency to cover other fields and benefiting from the US experiences in development plans. He reviewed the activities and role of the local councils in the development process as well as agricultural projects as Dhamar is considered one of agricultural regions in the country. "Incoming days, the project of veterinary faculty would be set up in Dhamar University at a total cost of 13 million dollar funded by the Islamic Bank for Development," al-Dora said. For his part, the head of USAID delegation Mathieu Bathman said that the agency would study means of supporting the project. 2005-02-09 :: Planning Minister meets WB missions (sabanews.net)- Deputy Premier and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmad Sofan met on Wednesday with two World Bank missions supervising the projects of preserving underground water and controlling the Sana'a water basin. In the meeting, Sofan called on the WB to extend its support for irrigation networks to include all the rural districts to reduce of the exhaustion the rainwater sources. 2005-02-06 :: FM meets US ambassador (sabanews.net)- Foreign Minister met on Sunday the American Ambassador to Sana'a Thomas Charles Krajeski and discussed with him the reforms of the Millennium Challenges Fund, as well as other cooperation aspects.The two men exchanged viewpoints on the current developments in Iraq and Palestine. 2005-02-04 :: President receives US official (sabanews.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received here on Thursday the US undersecretary of state Paula J. Dobriansky who is currently visiting Yemen. In the meeting, they discussed mutual cooperation between the two countries and topics of following up the outcomes of the G-8 summit in Sea Land, United States, that called for support to the sustainable development in the democratic countries. They also discussed works of the follow-up committee of democratic dialogue that includes Yemen, Italy and Turkish. The meeting also focused on democratic and development process in Yemen and the situation in Iraq and Palestine as well as efforts of fighting terror. The US official highlighted democracy in Yemen, saying that Yemen is an ideal example for democracy in the region. She valued the positive participation in the G-8 summit, confirming US support for the Yemeni democracy and participation of the Yemeni woman in political life as well as development projects. She praised efforts of Yemen in fighting terrorism, saying that Yemen is key partner for the international community in this regard. 2005-02-04 :: Yemen, US foster cooperation against corruption and terrorism (sabanews.net)- Yemen and the United States of America have discussed fostering cooperation against corruption, terrorism and poverty. Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qerbi and the visiting US Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula J. Dobriansky held talks to this effect in a meeting in the foreign ministry headquarters on Thursday morning. Al-Qerbi hoped that talks with Dobriansky, in her first visit to Yemen, would give a boost to the Yemeni-American partnership. "The nations of the region are looking forward to see a greater American role in patching up the Middle East conflicts," he said welcoming a recently more sober American attempts to resolve the Arab-Israeli standoff. "Yemen is also looking forward to see further stability and security in Iraq and departure of American troops" from the war-ravaged country. Dobriansky, in return, acclaimed intensive political debates over the elevation of the status of women in Yemen. 2005-01-31 :: Agriculture Minister meets WB mission (sabanews.net)- Minister of Agriculture Omar Hassan Suweid met on Monday with the World Bank mission headed by Satura Oaida together with WB irrigation expert Negdat al-Salihy. In the meeting, they discussed implementation of project of preserving underground water and soil and the evaluation of what had been implemented during the last visit of the WB mission. They also discussed developing the agricultural sector, pointed out to the efforts exerted by the government to overhaul water resources sector through the establishing of factories of modern irrigation pipes and networks. The head of the WB mission highly appreciated the ministry of agriculture's efforts in preparing visibility study of this project, pointing out to the cost of the project $ 53,363 million. 2005-01-30 :: SOFAN and US Ambassador Discuss MCA and Development Cooperation (mpic-yemen.org)- The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed M. SOFAN has formally handed over to the Ambassador of the United States in Sana'a Mr. Thomas KRAJESKI Yemen's Concept Paper that outlines preliminary ideas on utilizing a Threshold Program to assist Yemen in its bid to qualify for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). SOFAN and KRAJESKI also discussed donor harmonization and alignment in Yemen and exchanged views on small to medium size socio-economic and community development support initiatives on archipelago of Soctra under on-going USDA food aid programs. 2005-01-30 :: A Declaration on Donor Harmonization and Alignment in Yemen Is Signed (mpic-yemen.org)- The Government of the Republic of Yemen and its donor partners have declared their commitment to enhanced donor harmonization and alignment in Yemen. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed M. SOFAN and Ambassadors of donor countries and Country Representatives of international donor organizations signed a declaration on donor harmonization and alignment. (click here to view Declaration) The declaration has been developed in a three-day workshop held in the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation last December and attended by representatives of government agencies and donor governments and agencies. Under the Declaration, donors will renew their commitments to the 2003 Rome Declaration on donor harmonization and alignment with more focus and country-specific for Yemen. The ultimate aim of such donor harmonization and alignment in Yemen is to ensure gradual donor commitment to addressing the read development needs of Yemen as stipulated under the government development plans and policies ie. The Poverty Reduction Strategy and Development Plan. Yemen like any other oda recipient country aims to eventually realize more of direct donor development aid and support and eventual ownership. The following donor countries and international organizations signed the declaration: Germany, the Netherlands, United States, Japan, United Kingdom, the European Commission, Italy, France, the World Bank and the United Nations. 2005-01-30 :: Yemen proves eligibility for receiving Millennium Fund assistance (sabanews.net)- Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmed Sofan delivered on Sunday to the US Ambassador to Yemen Thomas Charles Krajeski a blueprint of Yemen's technical criterion to become eligible for the assistance of the Millennium Fund for Development. The blueprint, given to the US diplomat, during talks dealt with the areas of developmental cooperation between Yemen and the United States in fields of available support to fund some developmental activities in Socotra Island 2005-01-18 :: U.S. Congress commends Yemen's efforts in reform, democratization (sabanews.ner)- The U.S. Congress has commended the Yemeni government for its political and economic liberalization efforts, a U.S. embassy press release said Tuesday. The statement said that Yemen was recognized by the congress along with the governments of Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman in hope that their efforts will serve as a model for other Arab countries. The statement said Yemen was specifically cited for its accomplishments in the economic reforms. "Yemen is making an important effort to support political, educational,and economic report," the statement said. "In January 2004 President Ali Abdullah Saleh said in a speech to the Sana'a Inter-governmental Regional conference that , Democracy is the choice of the modern age for all peoples of the world," added the statement. "It is the way to achieve security, stability, development and better future for our countries. Human rights are lightly connected to democracy and the state of law and order." President Saleh has aggressively recruited women into most areas of the government and supports the inclusion of women in the public sphere. Withwomen having been elected to parliament and cabinet. 2005-01-12 :: Saada Governor, US diplomat discuss Saada support (sabanews.net)- Governor of Saada, Yahya al-Amri and the head of the Coordination Unit in the US Embassy Mathewt Baton discussed in Saada on Wednesday the projects and health services needed in the northern province. The Governor hailed the strength of the Yemeni-American relations and the support of the United States to Yemen especially the province of Saada. The US diplomat confirmed the commitment to American maintain aid to the province and praised Yemen's role in supporting terrorism. The Governor and the US diplomat inspected the construction of al-Dustoor school in Majzar district at a cost worth over $200,000. 2005-01-03 :: Civil service ministry, WB discuss cooperation aspects (sabanews.net)- Minister of Civil Service and Insurances Hamuod Khaled al-Sofi discussed on Monday with the representative of the World Bank in Yemen Mustafa Rowais aspects of mutual cooperation in field of administrative reforms. The minister briefed the WB official on the administrative and financial reforms which have been achieved and the current arrangements for issuing new employment cards to avoid job duelity. He added that the government has real desire to go ahead in its reform program that has been launched in 1995. For his part, the WB official highlighted the results of reform program,saying that the bank is ready to offer more support for the second stage of the program. 2005-01-01 :: SC chairman receives new WB representative (sabanews.net)- Chairman of Shura Council Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Ghani met here on Saturday the new representative of the World Bank to Yemen Mustafa Rowais. In the meeting, Abdul-Ghani appreciated the role of the bank in supporting development process in Yemen, wishing Rowais sucess in his mission. For his part, the WB official reviewed priorities that the World Bank would focus on in its agenda in cooperation with government, especially the development programs.

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