By Nasser Arrabyee - Several countries have confirmed their commitment to attending the upcoming London Donors’ Conference, organized to support Yemen’s economy, said Abdul Kareem al-Arhabi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.

"The countries I have visited confirmed their readiness to participate in the conference and to support the development programs in Yemen," the minister told reporters upon his return from a tour of western countries, which included stops in the US, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Canada and Norway.

The trip was successful, and aimed at mobilizing international support for the Donors' Conference, which will be held in London from 15-16 November, al-Arhabi said.

"European and American officials were impressed with the successes that Yemen has achieved in the field of democracy, economic reforms, the success of the presidential and local elections, and also with the improvement and implementation of the agendas of national reform, combat of corruption, and the enhancing of transparency and good governance," the minister said.

To this end, the Gulf-Yemen technical committee will begin its work from October 28-31 in Sana'a, with the participation of representatives from the six GCC States and the regional funds.

"The meeting, which will precede the meeting of foreign ministers of GCC States in Sana'a with the participation of the Minister of Foreign and Expatriates’ Affairs and the Minister of PIC, will discuss the final preparations for the Donors' Conference, essential documents, organizational requirements, and reviews of the investment program for the five-year development plan, which will be presented at the London conference," said Yahya al-Mutawakel, Vice Minister of PIC.

He pointed out that the technical committee would submit its final report to the meeting of foreign ministers.

Al-Arhabi met with the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, and the results of Yemen’s presidential and local elections, as well as the possibility of putting Yemen among the priority countries to receive Norwegian development aid.

They also discussed regional developments and the situation in Somalia and its impact on Yemen through the continual influx of Somali immigrants, and its effect on the Yemeni economy.

Al-Arhabi has issued an official invitation to his Norwegian counterpart to participate in the Donors' Conference.


In a conference on the transparency initiative in the oil sector, al-Arhabi delivered a speech in which he said, "The transparency initiative is included in the agenda of the national reforms, and that it comes as part of the implementation of the instructions of President Ali Abdullah Saleh for pushing the policies and legislation designed to limit corruption and enhance transparency in purchases and general tenders, and put in place specific instructions and mechanisms that achieve positive economic feedback."

Al-Arhabi said Yemen is very interested in enacting the initiative, pointing out that the Yemeni government has formed a ministerial committee for this purpose, which will refer its recommendations to the cabinet.

Source: Yemen Observer