The infrastructure of the AFZ Industrial & Warehousing Estate (IWE) was completed in last October. Operation in the estate is now prepared for establishing investment projects, as reported by Adnan Al-Kaff, the Director (Corporate Appoints) at Yeminvest to Al-Fanar Bulletin.

He pointed out that the official opening shall be made soon in coordination with the leadership of the Free Zone Public Authority. The ceremony will be appropriate to the Estate location significance for attracting investment.
Adnan Al-Kaff called on investors who have signed contracts with Yeminvest to start the process of constructing industries, warehousing and investment project that can be implemented at present. Regarding Yeminvest activity in shipping business of Aden Container Terminal (ACT), he said: “Yeminvest has signed contracts with some new shipping companies, such as UNI Glory Co. & Coscon for Shipping, thus, opening two new shipping lines, in addition to some new shipping services being extended to APL and PEL so as to increase the number of containers handled at Act, thus reducing shipping costs.
Al-Kaff pointed out to the increasing number of vessels and containers coming to the Terminal. Number of vessels arrived during last year, 2001 reached 856 while the number for the year 2000 was 590 vessels only. Numbers of containers coming to the Terminal during last year, 2001 amounted to 377,367, while the number for the year 2000 was 247,913. The figures above are a proof of the ever increasing giant container vessels choosing ACT as their preferred Terminal due to better facilities and services they received and the distinguished geographical location among world ports.
He clarified that the Terminal has not been operated up to its maximum capacity. Still there are potentials have not been tapped yet – more containers and more vessels can be accommodated. It is anticipated that a new crane will arrive in February this year as a fifth giant crane operating at ACT. This will help in speeding up container handling and accommodation process. As to the issue of ACT expansion to increase its shipping business, he affirmed that the remaining stages shall be duely implemented when viability is secured or the business at ACT reaches its maximum capacity.

It’s anticipated that more trade and closer relations between Saudi Arabia and Yemen will continue as more talks between officials from the two countries are about to get underway.
The Joint preparatory Yemeni-Saudi Committee will hold its next meetings on April 30. Issues include bilateral cooperation and boosting trade and investment, agreements that are expected to then be approved in June, during further meetings the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Previous work on the committee has resulted the Jeddah border treaty of in June, 2000.
The meetings of the Yemeni Saudi Coordination Council also came after Yemen got a loan totaling USD 300 million to finance infrastructure projects.
Yemen is also getting gradual access to some of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) institutions.
That’s part of the strengthening relations Yemen has in the Gulf, particularly with Saudi.
Yemen and Saudi have recently signed draft agreement to develop more trade between the two countries.
A memorandum of understanding on coordinating the air traffic between Sana'a and Jeddah regions with the view of reducing air fares has also been signed.
And custom officers have reached an agreement to allow Yemeni agricultural products to enter Saudi markets.
Yemen exports to Saudi Arabia have rose by 200 percent following the signing of the border treaty between the two countries.
Businessmen of the two countries say they look forward to decisions to help the private sector with joint ventures in the Aden Free Zone, tourism sector and small enterprise.
The Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council is expected to outline new concepts for enhancing partnership between the two countries in the upcoming meetings to be held in Riyadh. Figures show that Saudi investments in Yemen are estimated at USD 800 million. Yemen’s private sector is in part in these investments.
Yemen is also hopeful that its improved relations with Saudi will help it receive financial aid to fight low-income, unemployment and poverty.

Statistics show that 65 percent of the agricultural activities in the countryside are performed by women.
With the aim of understanding women's role in society and enhancing partnership between the men and women, the Central Organization for Statistics organized a workshop in Sana'a last week.
The workshop also dealt with the relations between woman and the environment.
The workshop focused on five topics pertaining to women, water resources, soil and plantation, women and work environment, biodiversity, and women and energy.
The concepts of these topics are indicative of the significance of women's role in society and economic activities.
Participants discussed a strategy to form a systematic national vision based on activating the role of women in all sectors of economy with the view of achieving a full social and sustainable partnership, especially in rural areas.
The workshop outlined some mechanisms and programs that will form the guidelines of the national strategy of women and linking their activities with sustainable development plans.
Working out the legal and organizational infrastructure has been prioritized by the strategy due to their significance in empowering women in the society. This will actually require carrying out awareness field campaigns in order to familiarize women with their new activities.
The Department of Women & Environment at the Environment Protection Authority played a major role in strengthening contact with the related departments and coordinating efforts to raise awareness of preserving the environment.
Yemeni women contribute alot to the national economy as well as running the home economy. Their contribution in running handicraft and agricultural activities is also of great importance.
Still are Yemeni women lacking educational plans for eradicating women illiteracy which totals 70 percent of the total number of women.
Imparting knowledge and skills to muralists in domains of soil preservation and other agriculture related education will undoubtedly help in developing both national economy and women's status in the society.

Yemeni Airlines partnership renewed
Yemeni - Saudi Airlines has renewed its partnership, giving 51 percent ownership to the Saudi side and 49 percent for the Yemeni side.

WB supports Women Societies, coastal projects
The World Bank delegation has conducted studies to finance the Yemeni Women societies for the year 2003.
The WB is going to provide the essential services for governmental and non-governmental organizations and develop projects in coastal cities with a view of providing new job opportunities for the unemployed and improving the investment atmosphere in the country.

Yemeni economy indicators
The Cabinet has discussed Yemen's most recent economic indicators after a report was presented to the Central Bank of Yemen. It related to the Yemeni economy following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US.
The non-oil local production has reached 4.7% of GDP.
Cabinet is also concentrating on legal procedures to protect banks and people from frauds.
It has approved a policy to assess financial and economic institutions every two years.