[06 September 2008]

SANA'A, Sep. 06 (Saba)- A talks session was held here in Sana'a at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation between the Yemeni government and the US government represented by the US International Development Agency (USIAD).

The session, co-chaired by Planning Minister Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi and USAID acting deputy administrator James Kunder, discussed cooperation file between the two friend countries and means of reinforcing and developing it.

The talks reviewed development programs implemented by the USIAD in the country, as well as the program of qualifying Yemen to join Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The session also dealt with the different support fields and cooperation in fields of good governance, education, agriculture, water and energy, in addition to future suggestion on cooperation in higher education.

Al-Arhabi reviewed development challenges facing Yemen such as population growth, scarcity of water and increase of poverty rate due to the world food crisis and its dimensions on Yemen.

He also acquainted the US delegation with the strong level of the Yemeni ties with its development partners, noting the importance of the role Washington plays in reinforcing these ties.

AM/AM

Saba