Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Business & Economy
Written By: Faisal Darem
Article Date: May 10, 2008 - 6:36:31 AM
A World Bank delegation, headed by its Advisor for the Port Cities, Sameh Wahbah, discussed the government’s plan for improving Yemeni port cities and the organization support in implementing national strategy for port cities with Minister of Transportation, Khaled al-Wazir, on Monday.
The discussion focused on improving and requalifying Hadhramout’s ports of Brum and Adhabah. Al-Wazir reviewed steps taken for the project’s profit studies of supporting port cities for its importance in operating Yemeni ports, confirming that his ministry seeks to improve Mukalla and Sayon airports to promote passenger capacity to two million annually. “The strategy for improving ports aims at strengthens investment environment and creating work opportunities in ports of Aden, Hodeidah and Mukalla,” said al-Wazir.
Earlier, the World Bank agreed on granting Yemen $23 million as a first step toward improving Yemeni coast cities, with the total cost estimated at $96 million.
The first phase focuses on improving Aden’s port cities since it is considered Yemen’s trade center, and its strategic location makes it the second largest port in the world in terms of passengers crowd.
On the other hand, Governor of al-Mahrah province, Abdullah al-Harazi, held talks on Monday with Yemen’s World Bank representative, Naji Abu Hatem, on the necessities of fisheries projects in the province.
During the meeting, General Director of Fisheries Projects, Omer Sobeih, got acquainted with the World Bank projects, such as establishing a building for exports of fish, examining quality, and rehabilitation of Nashtwan refrigerator, in addition to building an ice factory with a total cost at ten million dollars.