[25/January/2010]

SANA'A, Jan. 25 (Saba) – The upcoming London Conference on Yemen would produce an international unified vision of Yemen's economic and security problems with which the problems can be resolved and eased towards a peaceful region, deputy minister of Planning and International Cooperation Hisham Sharaf has said.

In an interview with the mouthpiece of the ruling party, al Methaq Newspaper, he said that Yemen needs about $ 50 billion in the next ten years to establish infrastructure able to serve the people and attract investments and then pulling Yemen of the least developed countries' list.

At the event, Yemen will focus on roadblocks to development, he said, urging donors to take concrete steps for writing off Yemen's debts, at least by half, because the debts are burdening the country.

Sharaf also urged the GCC states to support the paid balance in Yemen in an effort to boost its financial situation and national currency.

Yemen is in need for such a bold step and deserves it under domestic and regional stability achievements, he said.

He, furthermore, reiterated Yemen's commitment to continuing economic reforms in various fields, particularly in areas such as management and economy as well as enforcing the rule of law.

'Yemen has a clear and honest reform vision that requires support from world and regional donors. Yemen should be dealt with as a partner ……with this all then can see we are going ahead in the best interest of the nation.'

Under suitable support, Yemen can be a big workshop of reforms and this year can see finalizing donor pledges through signing aid deals and announcing tenders for developmental projects, he concluded.

FR