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Imad Al-Saqqaf Taiz Bureau Chief Yemen in 1995 Since 1995, Yemen has been going through hard economic challenges determined by some local, regional and international political and economic factors. The most prominent of those challenges was the return of more than 1 million emigrants from the Gulf area. It has created a number of disorders in economic and financial balances in general. That had caused a drop in the citizens’ living standard, an increase in private and government spending, price hikes, deterioration of currency exchange rates, drop in the purchasing power of the people. The government had therefore implemented a comprehensive program for economic, financial and administrative reform beginning from the end of 1994 aimed at restoring the balance and achieving economic stability by applying a group of economic, financial and monetary policies. Following this and from 1995, drafts of the first five-year-plan (1996-2000) were worked out. Some of the objectives of that plan were to take quick measures and steps to ensure economic and social development and to improve the living condition of the people. Many parties expected that that plan would relieve the economic crisis at the time. However, at the end of the plan the ordinary man could see no positive results of the plan, though the government kept boasting of decrease in inflation, stability of the riyal exchange rate and decrease in state budget deficit to satisfactory levels. The Ministry of Planning is preparing Yemen’s strategic vision for the coming 25 years. We hereby outline how the new strategy views Yemen’s situation in 2000 and how it assesses the situation of the year 2025. Yemen in 2000 1) Population During 2000, the Yemeni population is 18,316 million. However, by 2025 it will reach more 42 million. This high population growth is main challenge against achieving a comprehensive development in society. The Yemeni woman is characterized by its strong fertility. Demographic survey in 1997 showed that 37% of births happen over an interval of less than 2 years and that 35% of women become pregnant before they reach 20 or after 35 which makes the overall fertility of women very high. The volume of labor force has increased from 3,4 million in 1994 to 4,6 million in 2000. By 2025, it will reach 14,2 million. Women constitute one fourth of this force and are 47% of the population with age group ranging between 15 and over. Despite the fact that there is a rapid increase in the people’s migration to towns, 76% of the population are still living in he countryside. Illiteracy is estimated at 56%, 76% females and 37% males. The rate of those who joined primary schools is 67% of the people, of which 96% female and 87% male with age group of 6-15 years. It is expected that there would be an increase in students enrolling for education which necessitates new seats in schools for more than 3,2 million students in 2000 and 7,2 million in 2025. Therefore, schools are to increase from 13,200 to 21, 600. Similarly, teachers are to increase from 140 thousand in 2000 to 206,000 in 2025. Despite the big growth in university education, in 2000 universities have increased to 7 state universities and 8 private ones. Students studying at these universities are 197,000, of which 42 thousand are females. There is a quantitative as well as qualitative deterioration in health services. Services provided in this field meet the needs of only 40% of the population. Beds in hospitals are not more than 11,365 meaning that one bed for 1600 people. The redoubling of population requires the building of more than 22 hospitals and increasing the number of doctors to 35,000 by 2025 in comparison with 3800 doctors in 2000. The number of nurses has also to be increased from 7306 to 105,000 by 2025. Yemen is considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world. Average annual per capita income amounts to $ 350, that is, less than one dollar per day. The government also suffers from weak institutions, unqualified staff, lack of incentives, lack of resources and a high level of unemployment. Solutions: The new strategy revealed that it is important to undertake the following articles: * Long term treatment vision that should be regularly controlled and reviewed through medium range plans. * Mobilize all economic and social resources to overcome the difficult stages through comprehensive treatment measures. * Combining traditional treatments and innovation while confirming the special characteristics of the Yemeni economy and society. Yemen strategic vision 2025 aims at transferring Yemen into the medium income economies group with a variable economy and social, cultural and political development. The Ministry of Planning has organized many seminars in the main cities to discuss the vision to enhance the people’s participation. The first seminar was held in Aden for the strategic vision of Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Dhale’a. The second was held in Taiz in the presence of the Planning Minister and Taiz and Ibb governors. The meeting was to draw up a strategic vision for Taiz, Ibb and Al-Bayda. The seminar which was held under the motto “For a Developed Economy and Better Life for the People” ended before its time owing to electricity cut. Planning Minister talked at the outset of the seminar about the strategic vision 2025 and said “Economically speaking, Yemen is deemed to be among the poorest countries. Although three decades have passed since Yemen started its economic and development process, it is still labeled among the twenty less developed countries in the world. Last year the overall gross national product was $ 6,44 million and the population 17,7 million. Therefore the individual share of the gross national product was $ 350 only. This miserable condition and deterioration in the individual share, besides other problems that flowed out from this condition including unemployment, abject poverty, weak production, make all of us beat the band to make use of the resources of the country to develop the people’s way of living and to achieve prosperity and welfare of the society. Water and population are the most crucial and pending issues that urgently need to be addressed. We are at two options; either to continue following the same policies and steps which may lead by 2025 to a catastrophe or to join all efforts to implement the vision.” Dr. Ahmad M. Al-Durwish presented a paper outlining water vision by 2025 pointing out that Yemen was deemed as one of the driest countries. The paper suggested that to solve this crisis national efforts are to be joined so as to found a basic basis for administrating water resources. Efforts are also to be exerted to raise the awareness of people to make a rational use of water. Another paper was presented by Mr. Hamid Al-Mutawakel talking about the National development in the strategic vision. He said “We can never achieve any objectives of the 2025 vision unless it is associated with social development. Therefore, the point is to control the huge increase in population. The new strategy has the objective of increasing social health services to more than 90%, consequently requiring radical changes. That is, the number of physicians have to increase 7 times their number now, the number of nurses 15 times. This will also require expanding water network and sewage system net. In education, the strategy stated that education is indispensable for all the citizens. It aims at increasing the female and male enrollment, especially in countryside. It also enhances the role of women in the social as well as political life. As regards the technical education, the strategy indicates that it is important to change its existing order so as to qualify a competent and well-qualified cadre. A paper on culture and politics in connection to the strategy was presented by Dr. Dawood Othman. Another paper on the strategic vision for agriculture was presented by Dr. Abdulwahed Othman. Dr. Abudlsalam al-Jawfi, vice president of Ibb University, presented a paper suggesting some points of importance for Ibb governorate. He said that the agricultural filed is very essential for the people in the governorate. It constitutes 65% of their income. Therefore, it is prudent to give this field the attention needed.” The paper also talked about the tourist factors that Ibb is distinguished by. YT met with the governor of Ibb, Mr. Abdulkader Ali Helal, who talked about the seminar and said “Holding seminars in governorates is a sure signal of the government commitment to apply the local authority law. These seminars will mold the future. Academicians participation in these seminars prove that we are moving in the right path of applying the scientific approach. If the ministry is interested in an effective implementation of the new strategy, the governorates have to get more authority and to apply the local authority law which will create an atmosphere of competition among all the governorates.” The planning office in Taiz prepared the strategic vision for 2025 for Taiz governorate. However, the funny thing was that electricity went out and the office was not able to present the paper. The paper revealed some points of which are the following: The overall area of Taiz was 9610 km2 which is extended over 18 districts and 234 provinces. In 1994 census, Taiz population reached 1,881,960. It is expected that the number will accelerate to 6,348,102 by 2025. Taiz is a tense populated area. It is distinguished for its qualified and specialized cadre and the highest level of education. It is an important center for industries. It is rich with mineral wealth that is to be made use of. The governorate is also distinguished for its attractive historical sites, beautiful sea shores including Al-Khawkha, al-Maka and al-Qahera Fort which could be transferred to magnificent and awe inspiring tourist site. One of the difficulties that the city faces is the shortage of water which so far has not been solved. Unemployment and the increasing number of families below the poverty line, are also some other problems that the people of Taiz suffer.” In a statement Mr. Mutaher al-Abasi, deputy planning minister, told YT that there are essential differences between the first five-year plan and the new plan. The former was made at a turbulent economic stage after 1994 war. It was focused on pushing the economic development. One of the strategic factors was to increase the individual’s income and to treat the economic tribulations and to promote the human resources’ level. The application of the plan coincided with the implementation of the economic, financial and administrative reform program which started in 1995. The plan was quite a success in all the economic, financial and monetary fields. There were also many projects implemented in different sectors including health, education, electricity and roads, though the individual’s income remains low. However, it will change in course of time. The new plan is complementary to the first plan. However, the only difference is that many governorates participated in the preparation of the second plan.” As regards the poverty issue, Mr. al-Abasi said “There are many programs in terms of social security net for combating poverty including the Social Care Fund, Social Development Fund and Public Works Project. The private sector, civil society organizations and Social Solidarity System have also to play a role in this. Now the tendency is to train and qualify the poor on different activities so as to depend on themselves rather than giving them money. The main problems facing the Yemeni economy are of population and that of water.” Dr. al-Abasi talking about resources other than oil that can be used to raise the individual’s income and said “There are other resources, if used well, they may make radical changes including tourism and fish wealth. There is also a focus on information technology and industry as a major alternative as there are many restraints shackling the agricultural field.” Dr. al-Abasi talking about his view of Yemen by 2025 said “The vision indicated that Yemen will move from low-income to medium income developed countries.” Radhwan Al-Saqqaf Aden Bureau Chief Industrial companies are used to marketing their products in the world after they properly propagate them. Products usually bear specific trademarks that help owners protect their original products from counterfeiting. Such trademarks are registered with the authorities concerned in the country of origin. Registration of trademarks is carried out through a number of procedures. They are firstly registered at the Ministry of Supply and Trade, for it is being in-charge of imports. After approval of the Ministry, trademarks are then published in the Official Gazette. Advertisements, on TV channels, radio, newspapers, through posters, sponsorship of public events etc. are of high importance to popularize trademarks. Consumers’ confidence in trademarks is not easily achieved. It needs great efforts including advertisements, distribution of free samples that usually cost millions. To achieve more popularity worldwide, big industrial companies license other companies in other parts in the world to manufacture the same products with the same trademarks in return for some conditions such as importing raw material directly from original companies, allocate a specific rate of income for them, abiding by same standards in manufacturing products, etc. Many kind of cigarettes and beverages of overseas reputation are manufactured in Yemen by licensed local companies. Amidst the rush to join the WTO, improving and developing local products to match recognized world standard, protecting local products, fighting counterfeited products are necessary. All authorities concerned should bear in mind that consumers’ protection is the basis for development and protection of others’ rights. In other words, Ministries of Supply and Trade, Industry and Interior, Yemen Authority for Standardization and Specifications and Customs authority should join hands in this regard. Recently, there have been numerous incidents of counterfeiting products of famous trademarks and procrastination in trade disputes. To avoid such a muddle I suggest the following: - Stopping the flow of imported products of low quality. - Stopping import of suspicious products which aim at affecting local products for their low prices. - There should be executive programs to force industries to improve their products. - Prevention of smuggled goods from entering the country. - There should be a law to protect trade property as well as organize inspection campaigns of shops selling suspicious products. What is important is the protection of registered trademarks and intellectual properties, especially at a time the country is more aware to attract foreign investors and businessmen. Many businessmen complain of counterfeiting their trademarks or importing counterfeited products. The main question to ask at the end is what is the role of the Ministry of Supply and Trade in the effort for putting an end to such a muddle. Drug stores have spread all over the Yemeni cities in an eye-catcher manner leaving behind a lot of queries on part of the Yemeni public opinion. Such being the case the standard of health has dropped. This rife spread of drug stores has ended confidence in medicines trade. Today, medical treatment has become a merchandise rather than a service. Business in the hands of those who possess money. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is not playing its role fully in protecting the profession of medicine against serious violations which eventually have the negative impact on health condition of the Yemeni citizen. They either buy expired medicines or find out that certain drug stores are run by unqualified chemists. It is a very serious issue which needs a follow-up and full-knowledge of the serious consequences. Those responsible at the MOH should be aware of what is going on. Grave consequences await us. A real catastrophe will definitely emerge if affairs are not put right through follow-up and proper supervision. Drug importing companies and their stores on one hand and the widely spread drug stores on the other deal in suspicious medicines, as smuggling sheds shameful disclosures. It would appear that this subject is repeated; but the “Yemen Times” would like to knock at the door again in the hope to see affairs going smoothly and as they should. A Tahreer Plaza chemist, Mr. Ahmed Muhammed Omer said: “ We ourselves are really disturbed with this state of affairs. It is a trade more than a service. It is corruption everywhere in all directions. Most of drug store owners have influence at MOH. Senior officials control this business. However, honestly speaking qualified medical cadres, within the aspect of laws and standards, do exist at some drug stores. A Zubairi Main Road drug store owner Mr. Khaled Al-Shami believes that persons who benefit out of this business are limited in number. They are the ones who enjoy influence and authority. “We, owners of small pharmacies, are tied up with laws,” he said. He added:” Our profits are not that much swollen. With this paltry profit we confront the frequent tax-collectors and ‘unwelcome visitors’ from the Municipality, Cleaning, Health, and Environment offices and, settle our monthly water and electricity bills. Extortions...illegality everywhere.” Hameed Al-Khawlani, a pharmacist said: “The biggest worry is that drug store owners smuggle medicines and sell them at lower prices in a bid to beat our standard prices. So we are facing two sides. The first is official one represented in tax-collectors and cleaning office staff and the second are these smuggling houses owned by heavyweight capitalists. Employed at the Republican Hospital, Dr. Nabeel Al-Ibsi is of the opinion that lack of supervision on drug stores has led to appearance of more serious cases of illness after taking expired medicines. Such medicines usually enter Yemen through smugglers who never know ways of storing them. Excessive heat spoils the medicine. Dr. Ibsi added: “ Some medicines are below the standard but are in demand owing to the poor purchasing power of the consumer.” Many drug stores practice this, through unqualified dispensers owing to absence of supervision, the doctor said stressing that many dispensers possess experience but actually they know nothing about medicines. At the Environmental Health, a worker said, on condition not to be identified, that supervision or inspections are not carried out on regular basis. There is an obvious process in selection regarding whose expired medical goods to destroy. He has further said that the Environmental Health has uncovered much of expired medicine in drug stores and laboratory analyzes proved their being unfit for human consumption. Nevertheless, many of such cases are still suspending in the hands of the prosecution without any prompt and affective action in order to stop the disaster. The worker said that many companies dealing with medicine trade never store their imports in the proper manner, thus exposing these medicines to various temperatures. This changes the effect of the medicines. One of those in charge of department of cleaning workers at the Ministry of Housing said that the importing companies’ stores never care for a clean street and yet they complain of cleaning fees. There are cases where we cannot approach some of these stores. The “Yemen Times” contacted the Yemeni Society for the Protection of the Consumer (YSPC). The Vice-Chairman, Mr. Hamood Al-Bakhiti talked to us and said “in short; but indicative” manner: “Many drug stores have been opened through official procedures but they sell medicines at unofficial level.” He added : There are stores which neither taxes nor municipality officers have ever visited because these stores are owned by influential people whose employees are intruders to the profession. Mr. Bakhiti urged the competent authorities to circulate lists containing names of smuggled medicines through the media. After summing-up these insertions, the “Yemen Times” , in an attempt to contribute with solutions to this serious problem, would like to put emphasize that several parties come together in service of the public interest. We propose the following measures:- ** The Ministry of Health should issue licenses to importing companies and drug stores under specific and tough conditions in the light of the breaches which have come up. Influence should be brushed off and proper measures should be observed while doing so. ** Medicine Control Apparatus and Environmental Health should carry out fortnightly checks at all companies and drug stores. Each medicine should be checked. ** The Ministry of Health should issue circulars black-listing smuggled medicines. The Ministry should open air-land-sea offices to intercept entry of un-authorized medicines. A careful look into dates of manufacture and expiry should be made. ** The Ministry of Supply & Trade should check the price of medicines sold by the companies and drug stores. ** Environmental Health officials and relevant authorities should uncover expired medicines and monitor work of these companies and stores. ** Activation of media role in this respect particularly in informing the society on perils of expired medicines. |
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