[30 August 2008]

SANA'A, Aug. 30 (Saba) - Yemen recently exported 41.5 tons of bananas to Egypt for the first time at a cost of more than YR 11 million.

Speaking to Saba, general manager of plants protection department of Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry Mr. Abdullah al-Sayani said that the opening of new markets to promote Yemeni products, including vegetables and fruit crops, would contribute to boosting the national economy and achieving its development objectives.

Al-Sayani pointed out that Saudi Arabia is one of the largest importers of Yemeni bananas, where it imports annually about 90 percent of the crop. Yemen also exports its banana crop to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

The quantity of Yemeni banana crop available for export purposes in 2007 was more than 120000 tons.

YA

Saba