Malaysia A Model Islamic Country - Yemeni Envoy

By Sajad Hussein KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- Yemen is greatly impressed with the economic development in Malaysia and wants to emulate it, its ambassador here, Abdulla Mohamed Al-Montser said today. Towards this end the country’s Prime Minister, Mohamed Salem Basundwa has specially invited former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed, whom he considers to be the "architect and brains behind the economic miracle in Malaysia" to Saana for discussions, he told Bernama in an interview here. Mahathir is scheduled to visit Yemen Thursday. Besides meeting Mohamed Salem and other government ministers, Mahathir was also scheduled to meet public and private sector leaders. Abdulla said Yemen admired Malaysia's success in all fields and believed that all other middle east countries shared the same view. "We all consider Malaysia as a Model Progressive Islamic Country and greatly respect Mahathir for his contributions in bringing Malaysia to where it is today," Abdulla added. He hoped the visit would further help increase the trade, cultural and economic links between Malaysia and Yemen. For the years 2009/10, Malaysia exported some US$500 to US$700 million worth of goods mainly palm oil, timber, chemical products, electrical and electronic products to Yemen and imported crude oil, processed food, fish and agricultural products worth between US$200 and US250 million during the same period. In addition, MISC ships are the main carriers of Yemeni liquefied natural gas (LNG) while national car Proton had also made its way into Yemeni market two years ago and is doing very well. There are 600 Malaysian students in Yemen while there are more than 5000 Yemeni students studying in 32 Public and Private universities in Malaysia. Abdulla said there is great potential for Malaysian Businesses now to venture into Yemen as the country is embarking on a very ambitious development programme of building infrastructures such as upgrading of airports, seaports, highways, power stations, water sanitation plants, technical institutes, community colleges and other rural development projects. He said the "Friends of Yemen" Ministerial meeting, which included Malaysia, held its first meeting in Saudi Arabia, last month to evaluate the political situation and discuss urgent aid to the country. The second meeting of the group which also included countries in Europe and Middle East would be held at the end of this month where the countries were expected to pledge funds for the various development projects, Abdulla added. Saudi Arabia had started the ball rolling with a pledge of more than US$3.25 billion. Since the uprising in Yemen in 2011, there is fast reconciliation taking place in the country after a successful agreement brokered by Gulf Cooperation Council countries led by Saudi Arabia and supported by the international community to end the unrest. The first phase of the accord was implemented by the formation of a national unity government and presidential election on Feb 21 last year. While, the two-year second phase which is in progress now will see the restructuring of the army, establishing of national dialogue, drafting of a new constitution, referendum on the constitution and parliamentary elections, Abdulla said. -- BERNAMA