[03 October 2007]

SANA'A, (Saba)- Minister of Industry and Trade Yahya al-Mutawakil held a meeting on Wednesday with the French ambassador to Yemen Gilles Gauthier on cooperation aspects in fields of investment, economy and trade between both countries and ways of developing them.

The meeting dealt with steps taken by Yemen to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as French support in this regard.

The minister said that Yemen is expecting France to have a role in providing
necessary support for Yemen to complete requirements of joining the WTO, noting that the government has worked to amend commercial laws and legislations according to requirements of accession.

Moreover, al-Mutawakil addressed the importance of enhancing
investment partnership between the two countries, welcoming French
investment in the country and reviewed the recent amendments to Trade Law which allows non-Yemeni business people to trade in Yemen without needing a Yemeni partner.

SA/AM

Saba