[01/November/2009]

SANA'A, Nov. 01 (Saba)- A press conference was held here on Sunday to review the special arrangements of the investment and economic conference of Aden titled "Aden... Yemen Gate to the World" which is set to be kicked off on 11-12 November.

In the conference, Chairman of the General Investment Authority (GIA) Salah al-Attar affirmed the importance of the conference in presenting investment opportunities in Yemen, in general, and Aden, in particular.

"The conference is considered as an additional input to promote the encouraging investment environment in Yemen in the different fields, specially in Aden, Abyan and Lahj governoates," he said.

Al-Attar pointed out the historical position of Aden, specially in commerce and navigation as one of the economic capitals praised due to its distinguished geographical location, apart from its only 4 miles away location from the international navigation line.

He noted that 50% of oil trade passes by Aden and it enjoys the state of a free zone as announced following the establishment of the Yemeni unity.

Al-Attar reviewed developments in the investment environment in Yemen, noting the importance of promoting these merits for the regional and international private sector, specially the GCC and international investors.

Head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Aden Mohammed Ba-Mashmous pointed out that the conference gains huge attention as it will coincide with meetings of the Yemeni-Saudi Council on 10 November in Aden.

He affirmed concern of the Yemeni government to regain the status of Aden as a free zone working within the international modern economic requirements which would freshen the national economy and push up development process.

Ba-Mashmous noted that the government put Aden within its economic priorities to benefit from the governorate's potentials and improve it to establish a completed free zone to enable Aden to become a center for international trade.

He talked about the significance of the conference in shedding lights on the city to be the gate of Yemen to the world in which big local, Arab and foreign companies in addition to commercial delegation representing many countries will participate.

For his part, Board Chairman of the Holding General Institution for Development (Shibam Holding) Saad Sabra affirmed the importance of activating partnership between the governmental and private sectors in order to support development factors in Yemen, noting that the conference will form a characteristic move for the national economy and will reflect the government trends to attract local and foreign capitals to invest in the free zone of Aden.

The conference is organized by the General Investment Authority, Aden Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Aden Local Authority, Free Zone Authority and Expertise House for Studies and Consulting.

AM/AM

Saba