Trade minister meets Japanese and Lebanese diplomats

SANA'A, April 20 (Saba) Minister of Industry and Trade Yahya al-Mutawakel held talks on Monday with Japanese ambassador to Sana'a Masakazu Toshikage over current negotiations to access Yemen into World Trade Organization.

Al-Mutawakel wished that Japan would care during its negotiations with Yemen the
present economic condition of Yemen, pointing out to the efforts of the Yemeni
government to finalize demands of the accession.

The Japanese diplomat affirmed that the Japanese government supports efforts of
Yemen to joint the WTO, saying that the government concerned about decision of the
international organization to facilitate the accession of less developing countries.

They also discussed assistance of the Japanese government to Yemen and possibilities
of contribution of the Japanese side in project of the food security.

On the other hand, the minister met the Lebanese ambassador to Sana'a Hassan Abu
Akar over mutual trade cooperation between Yemen and Lebanon and possibilities of
setting up a commercial Yemeni-Lebanese committee to increase volume of the
commercial exchange.

They also discussed means of encouraging businessmen in both countries to set up
joint projects in different fields.

AH