[13 October 2008]

SANA'A, Oct. 13 (Saba) - Yemeni and Turkish businessmen on Monday held talks at the Sana'a Chamber of Trade and Industry on means to partnership between private sector in both countries.

They discussed possibility of setting up joint economic, trade and other investment projects as well as necessary programs to establish joint industrial zones in several Yemeni provinces.

The meeting also dealt with procedures Yemen has taken to offer more facilities for investors through the system of "Single Window".

Turkish deputy prime minister Nazim Ekren, who heads Turkish delegation to Yemeni-Turkish Joint Committee meetings, hailed the development in Yemeni-Turkish cooperation relations in economic and trade terms, confirming that this meeting between Yemeni and Turkish businessmen in Sana'a will further develop mutual cooperation.

Ekren told Saba after the fourth rounds' meetings of the Yemeni-Turkish Joint Ministerial Committee, started its activity here on Sunday, that the size of trade exchange between Yemen and Turkey reached $ 194 million during the first seven months of 2008, expecting it would rise to $ 400 million by the year end.

Ekren added that the committee could set aims for increasing size of trade exchange between Yemen and Turkey to $ 1 billion during 2010 due to potentials exiting in the two countries, asserting his country's desire to expand relations with Yemen.

Minister of Trade and Industry Yahya al-Mutawakel indicated that these meetings including economic officials and businessmen from the two countries assert keenness of the two countries for promoting relations and reaching to admirable partnership. "The visit, with its economic value, affirms the two countries heeding for supporting and encouraging investments," says al-Mutawakel, calling on Turkish investors and businessmen to invest in Yemen.

NS/NS


Saba