FRANCE CHEERS YEMEN LNG EXPORT

SANA'A, Nov. 08 (Saba) - France's ambassador to Yemen Joseph Silva
paid on Saturday a visit to the Yemen LNG Plant in the south, the
French embassy in Sana'a said.

The visit was aimed at taking part in launching the first fruits
from the investment to S. Korea.

It also marked a new era of friendship and business partnership
between Yemen and France.

Yemen on Saturday started exporting LNG from the Balhaf Plant in
Shabwa, with the first shipment estimated at 149.000 cubic meters
heading to South Korea.

President Saleh inaugurated the export, highlighting the milestone
achievement and urging working together in the best interest of
Yemen.

The almost $ 5-billion investment started producing LNG last month.
And by the second half of 2010 when about 90 percent of the project
should be completed exporting will run normally according to the
global market priorities, with Europe and Asia to be a focus.

FR