[31 October 2007]

SANA'A, Oct. 31 (Saba)- Yemen and Italy signed on Wednesday minutes of Italian aid revenues in Yemen for the period 2005-2006, estimated at YR350 million, to be assigned to supply projects in fields of girls education, rural roads and protecting cultural heritage in remote areas, especially Marib governorate and Tehama district .

The minutes was singed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi and Italian ambassador to Sana'a Mario Bofo.

Al-Arhabi praised support of the Italian government to Yemen's development and active contributions to boosting efforts of Yemeni government in implementing the National Strategy for Protecting Cultural Heritage, pointing out the importance of opening wider fields of cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, the Italian ambassador pointed out that revenues of his country's aid would be allocated for carrying out projects aiming at poverty alleviation and increasing number of girls attending basic schools, confirming keenness of his country to enhance and develop cooperation with Yemen.

MS/AM

Saba