BY IMAD AL-SAQQAF
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
TAIZ BUREAU CHIEF
Historic references have indicated that the name of Hodeidah originated from an old woman's name "Hadeedah". The aged woman used to live in Bab Mushref, the second largest gate of the city, and it is she who gave this important Yemeni coastal city its name.
But Hodeidah City today does not resemble old age or senility. The city has become a young and energetic looking city resembling an active and strategic harbor on the Red Sea. But at the same time, the city was also able to preserve its historical significance.
However, Hodeidah City faced a challenge after unification due to the emergence of another strong competitor: Aden, which was declared as a commercial and industrial capital of Yemen.
Three years ago, I visited Hodeidah and found that there wasn't much commercial or social activity. All I found was bumpy roads filled with rubbish and waste materials scattered almost every you go in the city. Well, I realized that the 'old woman' name did not come from nowhere then.
Last week, however, I revisited Hodeidah City. But this time it was a much brighter image. I saw the old woman turning into a young beautiful bride again. I have found the city healthier and younger. The city seemed full of energy and enthusiasm.
I could finally breathe fresh air in Hodeidah after motorbike smog would fill the city's atmosphere. I could see a city beautifully decorated with trees and green parks.
I have been deeply impressed by such beauty and therefore I believe that it deserves the title "2002 most beautiful Yemeni city". I also believe that the efforts that its governor has exerted to turn it to what it is today entitle him to the "2002 most distinguished governor" title. It is not a complement; it is truly an amazing difference.
Hodeidah's streets today are clean and organized. Sightseers and visitors who have been to Hodeidah in the past will notice that the city has now an incomparable beauty.
Tourist attractions are everywhere you go. You find trees, green grasses, fountains, and many other features that you would consider necessary for a tourist city.
This can be attributed to the strenuous efforts exerted by its governor, Mr. Mohammed Saleh Shamlan and the Executive Manager in the governorate, Mr. Wadee Saif Ahmad who is an MA graduate in Agriculture from the Alexandria University. He is now appointed as the Director for the Cleanliness and Improvement Fund.
The fund is also run by the information center in Hodeidah governorate which aims basically at coordinating joint activities of all Hodeidah governorate districts.
It is responsible for collecting information of the different activities happening all over the governorate and establishing a very strong infrastructure for development in all districts of the Hodeidah governorate.
Mr. Imad Al-Saqqaf, Yemen Times Taiz/Hodeidah Bureau Chief met with Mr. Wadee Saif , the Executive Manager of the fund, and filed the following interview.
Q: When was the cleanliness fund established? What are the projects that have been achieved so far?
A: The fund was established in 1999 by republican decree no. (20) to form the Cleanliness and Improvement Funds to enhance cities.
The fund's active projects can be summarized in the following:
1- Erecting the Victory Arch, (Qaws Annasr).
2- Paving mini parks of some streets with flagstones.
3- Lighting the al-Olofi Public Park.
4- Expanding and beautifying the prayers spot of the Greater and Lesser Bairam.
5- Implementing the first phase of beautifying some of the city's streets.
6- Renewing and lighting some of city streets.
7-Establishing a temporary shed for the fish market.
The total cost for these projects have been totaled YR. 167,272,600.

Q: To what extent has the cleanliness law been enforced and how have the concerned bodies reacted to make the fund a success?
A: The cleanliness law hasn't been fully enforced until the beginning of the last quarter of the year 2002.
After its transference to a new neighborhood, the fund's staff along with the concerned bodies have discussed and reviewed some vital matters related to the law.
As a matter of fact, the fund's activities have begun to be felt and some vital projects have been established in this regard.
In addition to this, projects are being implemented in full swing. This can be detected through the established work related to beautifying the city through paving streets, construct flagstones, and lighting parks and streets.
Besides, fountains have been repaired and the street cleaners have started working in acceptable costumes.
Q: In your point of view, how can the media play a positive role in raising awareness of cleanliness towards their cities?
A: Undoubtedly, the media has a vital role to play in terms of raising awareness of the importance of cleanliness among the public. It is of great significance to keep their cities clean and organized.
Cleanliness campaigns were nonexistence in the past. People felt embarrassed to talk about cleaning. They could see with their own eyes heaps of rubbish and waste scattered everywhere in street pavements without doing anything about it thinking that it is the sole responsibility of the state. But today, we have shown them that talking about cleanliness is nothing to be ashamed of and that it is a joint responsibility of citizens and government. We should feel proud of what has been achieved so far.

Q: How do you assess the mechanisms of the cleanliness project?
A: I will not assess in this matter. Leaderships in the governorate along with the public will assess our achievements.
Frankly speaking, we have spent four months working with out-of-date cleaning machines and equipment. Supported by the governor of the city, cleaning machines and equipment have been provided.
It is saddening to see that some people act irresponsibly towards the cleanliness workers, who have started their work. Those people are somewhat still unaware of the great importance of keeping their cities clean.

Q: How do you assess the cleanliness campaign in the historical city of Zabeed?
A: We are at the cleanliness fund fully aware of the importance of preserving the beautiful facet of the ancient Zabeed City which will soon be restored.
We are entirely dependent on the positive reactions and efforts made by the governor of the city. The duty of this has been assigned to Mr. Mohammed Abdulwasa'e who will lead the cleanliness campaign in the city of Zabeed. The Zabeed cleanliness campaign will focus on removing the solid waste materials and beautifying the city using all available means.

Q: What are your future plans?
A: We are greatly ambitious to achieve the future plans in the context of:
Firstly, concerning the cleanliness campaign, which would include:
a. Allocating a new distant site for waste material. This site will be at least 13 km away from the city.
b. Recycling waste material. Preparations are underway to erect a mini plant for recycling and buying recycling machines, and equipment for this matter.
c. Purchasing new equipment for the waste material spot.
d. Rehabilitating and repairing the project's workshop.
e. Improving the previous mechanisms of the cleanliness project.
f. Activating the awareness sections and environment guidance.
g. Training the cleanliness cadres.

Secondly, concerning the technical department which is related to establishing projects, planting trees, and lightening, these are the cleanliness projects which are to be implemented this year:
a. Paving roads in the context of building and expanding streets, building car parks, and repairing old streets.
b. Adding flagstones to street pavements, establishing a nursery project and irrigation networks and lighting streets.
c. Launching new public parks, and other important projects.
The overall cost of those proposed projects is around YR. 80,865,500.

BY MOHAMMED BIN SALLAM
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Director of the Secretariat Office for social securities Sultan al-Hakemi, has recently given an interview to the Yemen Times conducted by Mohammed Bin Sallam in which talked in details on this vitally important social institution, the nature of its function, the benefits gained by employees n private sector establishments and problems facing the institution in performing its tasks.

At the beginning of his talk Mr al-Hakemi said the social security was established in 1978 according to the law No. 16 for 1978. It practiced its activities in 1988. Its role has been enhanced during the post- unification period with issuing the law No. 26 for the year 1991 which is still valid till today.
The main objective of this institution as al-Hakemi indicated is to cover a wide-range segment of people working in different production sectors and institutions , specifically in the private sector.
The number of registrants within the social security list has reached 160.000. This is of course a small number if compared to the number of labor force in our country.
Al-Hakemi has bitterly complained of the evasion of some foreign companies operating in the field of oil in order to insure its labor force.
The Social Security is not able to convince those companies to adhere to the laws and bylaws. The Social Security has to insure employees in cases of death, job risks and the old age.
Even public hospitals don't show any adherence to insure the foreign cadres in accordance with the Yemeni law where hundreds of doctors and foreign female nurses are working.
"Insurance is a must on the part of companies owners. Those who employ more than five are not exempted from insurance whatever his or her nationality is," al-Hakemi said.
To insure the workers by their bosses means a partnership and the insurance money is not considered a state's revenue.
The social security institution is regarded as a confident insurer to regulate the different facets of interests in accordance with laws.
During the previous years, a part of these subscriptions in the treasury bills, banks deposits, along with other holding companies, banks and other mixed institutions have been invested.
Al-Hakemi has reiterated that insurance is a must for every one regardless of the sector they are working for. This includes, organizations, banks, and workshops. This right has been guaranteed by the international laws for the human rights and the constitution of the republic of Yemen as one the important laws that should be taken into account.
The social security law has a social and humanitarian dimension which is closely related to the life of the human beings and insuring their standards of living.
This part of an activity has to be given an attentive focus by all social classes and by all the civil society organizations and industry and commerce chambers.
If there is not a comprehensive coverage for the majority of our citizens, the society and the state will face an inevitable consequence such as, a high increase in unemployment and the needy without even being supported and given a helpful hand.
It is commonly believed that the social security laws start from the geographical gradation and then gender gradation. The former is related to the administrative division of the governorates and the latter includes number of workers below 15 and then moving to 5 people. In future we are planning to included 3 and then even reaching to one worker.
As for the investment companies and labs, al-Hakemi explained that a large number of sectors evade from insurance duties. More than 1060 institutions have been recorded in the capital secretariat and the number is on the rise.
Al-Hakemi has called on the embassies and international organizations operating in Yemen for the necessity to include Yemeni and non-Yemeni workers and retirees in our country except for the diplomats for taking insurance.
The social security insurance has performed its role properly through addressing the Yemeni foreign ministry to convince the embassies and organizations since 2000 and has repeated the same request in 2001.
Several embassies have positively responded to this call including the Italian Embassy, German Embassy, Algerian Embassy and the Japanese Embassy.
Up to this moment, other embassies and other legations haven't taken out insurance where a large number of Yemenis and non-Yemenis work for.
Regarding the significance of raising awareness of the significance of insurance, al-Hakemi has called on all the media institutions for taking part in all aspects to raise the great awareness of the significance of insurance.
"There are instructions and directives given by the cabinet and the leadership of the insurance institution to raise the significance of insurance for showing the positive aspects of insurance," al-Hakemi added further.
This will be supported by launching campaigns using the ways and means such as, delivering lectures holding symposiums starting from the capital secretariat and then the Yemeni governorates.
In addition to this, preparations are underway to publish a periodical during the current year which could play an active role in effecting awareness locally through distributing those periodicals to embassies and laborers working abroad.
On a question on the workers' service period and when they deserve the pension whether in death or in handicapped cases. al-Hakemi said that : "There are different periods, for instance, the time limit for the old age which is 15 years or at least 10 years.
Preparations are underway to improve the salary system where the maximum salary is less than 7.000.
Unfortunately, some still get less than 1.000 per month.
On the other hand, al-Hakemi made it clear that his institution has mapped out plans for insuring Yemeni workers working abroad in collaboration with the Ministry of Expats.
Currently, a new law is about to be published in English language in order to be distributed to the embassies, legations, and the companies operating in Yemen.
The institution has decided to grant simple loans for the pensioners at symbolic interests which do not exceed 9 percent of the overall loans. This can be done in a 5-year basis for those who want to get married or to establish micro-projects.
The most distinguished feature of the social security law in Yemen is that it doesn't distinguish between the foreign labor force and the Yemeni labor force. When an Arab or foreign worker, his or her overdue is paid to him within 24 hours on the condition that his service is one year or more.
During the last few years, more than 10.000 Arab as well as foreign employees get their pension money.
Currently, around 1.000 are recorded with the insurance from the Arab as well as foreign workers. There are still thousands of people who have not been insured for the above-mentioned reasons.

BY MAHYOUB AL-KAMALI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Yemen-Syrian political and economic relations are witnessing steady development, as convergence of the two countries' vision of the region's events has enhanced their orientation towards development of cooperation. The two countries have held regular meetings of the Higher Joint Committee (HJC) chaired by both countries' prime ministers.
In the Yemeni-Syrian Higher Joint Committee meeting held in Damascus on 26 January a number of projects and agreements have been ratified in addition to discussion of cooperation in trade, technical and higher education, and public health and population fields.
The Higher Joint Committee has drawn up practical mechanisms for activating already signed agreements and enhancing the work of the Yemeni-Syrian businessmen council. This council will be playing a future role in developing investment partnership and utilization of existing investment opportunities in the way contributing to strengthening confidence among the Syrian and Yemeni businessmen.
Meetings of the HJC in Damascus came as a result of its previous meetings for evaluation of implementation of agreements concluded last year, among which was the agreement on avoiding taxes dualism. The two countries signed agreements on exchange of taxation information to combat tax evasion and to support and develop cooperation between the two countries in all fields. And in order to develop trade relations the two countries have joined the countries that had in 2002 declared the establishment of the Arab Union of Sea Navigation in Alexandria for the purpose of creating coordination among those countries in sea transport and its services in the face of world groupings. Holding of three Syrian trade fairs in Sanaa and Aden can be an example on the growth of Yemeni-Syrian trade relations. In September 2002 two Syrian fairs were held in Sanaa for Syrian various products in which 25 companies had participated. A third Syrian trade fair was held in Aden on 29 May 2002 in which 60 companies took part. Those Syrian trade fairs are considered a good beginning for consolidating the two countries' trade exchange in context of cementing Arab countries trade and economic relations among their markets. But the balance of trade is still tilted to Syrian products exported to Yemen by %75.
It is to be noted that the volume of trade exchange between Yemen and Arab countries has so far amounted to YR 194.80 billion. The value of Yemen's exports to Arab markets have reached to YR 34.40 billion. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for increasing Yemeni exports to Syria in the trend for realizing balance in the balance of trade between the two countries.

The Road Ahead
BY RAIDAN A. AL-SAQQAF
r_saqqaf@hotmail.com
One week ago, I was travelling from Sana'a to Aden by car. Through the highway, suddenly I came across an animal intending to cross the road. And in the next insight the animal catches sight of my fast incoming vehicle, in a split of a second the poor animal got paralyzed and lowered it's head and charged my vehicle head-on. The sudden apparition of my car must have paralyzed the animal's judgment, causing it to perversely to rush into the fatal direction whereas it could've escaped with seconds to spare.
The same thing happens to people when they experience a similar kind of mental paralysis; they are only able to see a very limited number of options despite the many alternatives available. The more sever the pressure and the more urgently a broader view is needed; the more dangerously their mental view seems to narrow down, and the list of options they consider shortens up, especially when it comes to a business executive who is obsessed with the 'all of nothing' fallacy.
There is no business in the world that operates according to the clear-cut, black or white principle of the binary system. In fact business operate according to perceiving and discovering areas for intelligent choice making among various business options, and in turn choose the best courses of action for the organization to take. All in order to ensure ultimate success and avoid the worst that can happen through understanding the full range of alternatives and constantly weighting the costs and benefits of each one.
Considering different alternatives require posing a number of 'what if' questions to find out the different possibilities, for example if the situation was such and such, what would be our best course of action? And what are the different alternatives? To which extent can tolerate such and such?
But still, sometimes business executives do not push their thinking to the full flex and do not consider all the alternatives seriously. This can be the result of the lack of any sense of entrepreneurial skills or competitive urgency, and these are two precisely qualities needed for success in all times. In addition to that, flexible thinking in business allows breaking out of the limited scope of vision that entrapped that animal on the highway. It also must be backed up by the daily use of imagination and by constant logical thinking and thought processing.
Endnote: success won't come unbidden and unplanned, and the process of planning success includes lots and lots logical and flexible thinking in order to include and consider all the different alternatives a business has. In other words it is flexible thinking that allows the scope of success to increase through providing more and more alternatives.