AS LONDON CONFERENCE NEARS, YEMEN SAYS NEEDS $ 50 BILLION FOR NEXT TEN YEARS

SANA'A, Jan. 25 (Saba) – The upcoming London Conference on Yemen
would produce an international unified vision of Yemen's economic
and security problems with which the problems can be resolved and
eased towards a peaceful region, deputy minister of Planning and
International Cooperation Hisham Sharaf has said.

In an interview with the mouthpiece of the ruling party, al Methaq
Newspaper, he said that Yemen needs about $ 50 billion in the next
ten years to establish infrastructure able to serve the people and
attract investments and then pulling Yemen out of the least
developed countries' list.

At the event, Yemen will focus on roadblocks to development, he
said, urging donors to take concrete steps for writing off Yemen's
debts, at least by half, because the debts are burdening the country.

Sharaf also urged the GCC states to support the paid balance in
Yemen in an effort to boost its financial situation and national
currency.

Yemen is in need for such a bold step and deserves it under domestic
and regional stability achievements, he said.

He, furthermore, reiterated Yemen's commitment to continuing
economic reforms in various fields, particularly in areas such as
management and economy as well as enforcing the rule of law.

'Yemen has a clear and honest reform vision that requires support
from world and regional donors. Yemen should be dealt with as a
partner ……with this all then can see we are going ahead in the best
interest of the nation.'

Under suitable support, Yemen can be a big workshop of reforms and
this year can see finalizing donor pledges through signing aid deals
and announcing tenders for developmental projects, he concluded.

Britain early this month called for a Yemen meeting to discuss how
to support the country to face its economic and security challenges.
Yemen appreciated the initiative, saying its proved a real desire by
donors to stand by it.

FR