Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Environment
Written By: Mohammed al-Qairy
Article Date: Dec 4, 2007 - 2:26:44 AM
Yahya al-Kain’ai
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Yemeni islands are the bright gate to Yemen’s future. Many distinguished features are found on these islands, but they still need more efforts and investment in order to be improved. Yahya Mohammed al-Kain’ai, General Director of the General Authority for Development and Promotion of Yemeni islands (YPDA), spoke with the Yemen Observer about the current situation and future needs of these islands.
YO: What are the main policies followed by the General Authority for Development and Promotion of Yemeni islands to achieve its general goals?
Al-Kain’ai: This is a good opportunity for us to meet and talk to the Yemen Observer which is a promotional window for the Yemeni islands. Various strategies are used to achieve our goals. First of all, the authority makes every effort towards marketing, to make all Yemeni islands known worldwide, and open to the whole world. It uses its technical capabilities to showcase the features and natural treasures of these islands. Such promotion works to attract developmental investments, depending on their competitive abilities, in the local, regional and world investment markets. Secondly, it is necessary to show the strategic importance of these islands when drawing up their developmental policies. It is also important to concentrate on projects of infrastructure and main services in order that they provide a strong base for other developmental, economic and social projects. Such things will encourage Yemeni and foreign investors to consider the Yemeni islands.
YO: Could you tell us a little bit about the current situation of the islands?
Al-Kain’ai: The Yemeni islands are still unknown to many local, regional and world investors and most of them are unaware of the importance of these islands. They may have heard of these islands, but they do not know their economic and social features and their investment benefits. The authority tries to play a role in promoting these islands on different levels. We participated in the Investment Opportunities Conference held in Sana’a, April 22-23, and also tried to reach a regional audience at the meeting point in Dubai. As a result of these events, we attracted many investors’ attention to the Yemeni islands.
YO: What do you think about the present laws related to investment in the islands?
Al-Kain’ai: The current investment law is one that encourages the development and investment of the islands. Such a law is not found in any other country in the region. Although there are some defects in this law, it works to facilitate many procedures dealing with investment here. It is a complete law, allowing us to enter into investment competition, but this law needs more promotion at the world conferences. The government has helped the authority pass many bills related to these islands. The islands are in pressing need of investment, so the authority hopes that the draft law of Yemeni islands development and investment can be re-discussed according to developed mechanisms and conceptions.
YO: Could you give the reader a brief on the Yemeni islands?
Al-Kain’ai: Yemeni islands have many distinguished features motivating tourism. Most of these islands are located opposite the Yemeni shoreline, while others are located along the international borders with countries such as Saudi Arabia. Such islands need investment, and are dependent upon on a developmental base. Abstract investment aims only to achieve financial gains, and has a negative affect on the islands. It causes the sea bottom to become a desert - damage which results from a lack of environmental care and unorganized practices. Most of these islands are also located along international navigation lines, on the various marine passages between four continents. Such passages work to link the different continents together, providing further possibilities for investment in the islands. Each Yemeni island is divided into four areas (A, B, C, D), depending on the type of possible investment. Therefore, there is a suitable place for the savings of any investor on any of these 183 different islands. “D” areas are those suitable for the establishment of small investments, while “A” areas can accommodate large construction and investments. Investors can carry out single projects alone or as a partner in one or several projects on the same island. All of these islands benefit from a temperate climate which attractive to both tourists and investors. Many activities such as diving or swimming are well suited to the waters off the islands, which are protected from winds and sea changes, making them attractive to tourists. The waters are still very pure and virgin, and are so clear that you can throw an object into them and then take a photo of it. In addition, labour is very cheap, which is a definite asset to any development project.
YO: What are your future plans to promote these islands?
Al-Kain’ai: The authority, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and the General Investment Authority, aims to establish travel info sites on every island. Moreover, every island will have a special website to promote its distinguished features. We also are in urgent need of a legal system which concentrates on social and economic features, based on known world systems, to deal with different investments.
YO: What are the economic and social benefits expected from such developmental investments?
Al-Kain’ai: These investments are expected to increase the rate of the national income as a result of an increase in economic and social activities. The proceeds of such activities will directly or indirectly affect local incomes. Many benefits will be gained by people living on or below the poverty line, and their economic conditions will be improved. The rate of unemployment will decrease since investments in such islands will require local workers. It may also lead to gradually decrease the number of people enrolling in universities, which the government spends huge amounts of money on, badly affecting the whole economy. According to a methodical economic system, Yemeni islands and the coast are the main gate of economic and local development. We hope that the government will review the situation of the YPDA and give us more control. We are making every effort to improve Yemen and we work according to clear policies. We believe that there is a promising future in the developmental movement of the different sectors. However, more than 20 other authorities are trying to intervene in our job. I challenge all these authorities to do what the YPDA has carried out with its limited resources and capabilities.
YO: Do you do any concrete investments in these islands?
Al-Kain’ai: We are trying to promote investment in these islands, according to the president’s orders and reports issued by the Cabinet through the First Investment Conference on the Yemeni islands. The main recommendation resulting from this conference called for one window of investment. However, the islands are mostly neglected and are suffering because of that.