03 - January 18th thru January 24th 1999, Vol IX
German Tourists to go to Saudi Arabia Instead
German tourism agencies began an information campaign to encourage German tourists who are interested in Yemen to go to some Saudi areas (Najran, Aseer, Jaizan) instead. German travel agencies assure that they had to do that after 4 German tourists were lately kidnapped in Yemen.
Because the climate, geographical relief and traditional buildings of these areas are similar to those of Yemen, they are much preferred by German Tourists at this time. The tourists feel they are safer in Saudi Arabia.
Japanese Support to YFCA
The Embassy of Japan extended a grant of US$ 54,304 to the Yemen Family Care Association (YFC). The money will be used to finance a mobile clinic for rural areas in Taiz governorate. The YFCA already has similar mobile clinics operational in the rural areas of Sanaa and Hodeida governorates.
Agreement to this effects was signed on January 13, 1999, by Dr. Yahya Al-Babili, Executive Director of YFCA, and Mr. Akira Hoshi, Ambassador of Japan in Sanaa. Japan has been steadily increasing its support for grass-roots level NGO projects in the country.
190,000 Telephone Lines in 1999
About 20 telecommunication projects were launched in 1998. The total expense of these projects was 2 Billion and 994 Million Yemeni Rials. In 1999, the Ministry of Transportation will implement several projects as well as continue working on 98 projects. 190,000 telephone lines will be launched in cities and directories. The 1999 budget allocated by the government to the Ministry of Transportation is 5 billion and 600 million Yemeni Rials.
The Ministry's 1999 plan of action will include different cities, airports, and isolated areas.
John Brooke Is Free
On Wednesday January 15th, British citizen John Brooke was freed from captivity. He had been held hostage by the Al Jaeed Tribe in the Marib area.
PCS Plans
The Popular Charitable Society (PCS) is looking for support to open a training and rehabilitation center in Sanaa. They are working now to open a hospital for mother and child in Aden, to be located in former "Chinese Hospital" in Crater. They have already built and furnished the place on which the hospital will be opened. Supported by some businessmen, the society recently have distributed 20,000 dresses to poor and orphan children there.
740 Africans Driven Out
The General Security Authority have recently driven out 740 illegal African residents to their countries of origin. Another 260 Africans will be driven out in the near future.
FUCHS Agents Go for Omrah
Organized by the Projects Company Inc., agent of FUCHS in Yemen, a group of 35 businessmen as well as FUCHS distributors in the country will go for Omrah. The group will be accompanied by Mr. Aasef Rashid, General Manger of FUCHS CO in the Middle East, and headed by Mr. Said Noman, General Manager of company.
Mr. Said Noman explains that the main objective of this visit is to prepare for a meeting between Yemeni and Saudi businessmen.
"We'll discuss with them the possibility of providing facilities to Yemeni businessmen by the Saudi Embassy in Yemen in order to better promote bilateral business relations between the two countries," says Mr. Noman.
Malaria Center Inaugurated in Abyan
The Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah Abdul-Wali Nasher, inaugurated on Saturday, 18th, a malaria center in Abyan. The governorate had been plagued by malaria. The prevalence rate in certain Abyan regions was put at more than 50 fo the resident population.
Increase in Commercial Banks' Capital
The first administrative act of the Central Bank of Yemen in 1999 was to demand an increase in the capital of commercial banks in Yemen to one billion YR. This act is expected to be carried out before the end of this year.
The decision comes in response to the requirements of capital adequacy ratios.
|