Yemen and Turkey will sign several cooperation deals including important deals in economic and military cooperation, when Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul, as the first Turkish president to visit Yemen, arrives in the country this month, government source said.
“The two countries are expected to sign an agreement for cooperation on military industries as Turkey is keen to help Yemen develop its military industries,” said Sobhi Atan, deputy Turkish ambassador to Yemen.
“Furthermore, another agreement will be reached for establishing the Turkish-Yemeni businessmen council, “ Atan said.
“Turkey has confidence that Yemen is able to tackle its problems peacefully and without international intervention. It is also keen to continue supporting Yemen’s economy and development and has already put aside funds in development aid to Yemen,” added Atan.
Last Wednesday, Yemen and Turkey held in Sana’a on Wednesday talk session concerning the fields of oil, gas and minerals.
At the session gathered the concerned officials in Ministry of Oil and Minerals and representatives of a number of oil and energy companies and Turkish Companies.Minister of Oil and Minerals Amir al-Aydarus reviewed the investment opportunities and privileges in areas of Minerals, oil and gas exploration and production in Yemen.
The Turkish delegation was briefed on the blocks which are open for investment in Yemen either land or offshore.
About 100 Turkish businessmen are to come with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul during his visit to Yemen in January, the Weekly 26 September said on Thursday.
An economic delegation of Turkish companies will accompanying President Gül in his visit to Yemen.
Representatives of around 80 companies who are members of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) will travel to Yemen with Turkish President Abdullah Gül.
The Turkish agency quoted DEIK in a statement as saying that the Turkish businesspeople accompanying President Gül in Yemen are expected to return to Turkey with important contracts.
Among the prominent projects in Yemen in which Turkish businesspeople may participate in are the construction of the Sana›a Airport and the 96 kilometers long highway between capital Sana›a and Damar city.
In addition, there are highway projects in Yemen whose total length is around 4,000 kilometers.
A tender will take place for the 104 kilometers long Taiz-Aden highway once financing is found. The Taiz-Aden highway is expected to cost around 600 million USD.
The Chairperson of DEIK›s Turkish-Yemeni Business Council said that they expected Turkish businesspeople to sign contracts with Yemeni authorities on defense and e-government projects as well as in the erection of organized industrial zones.
Yemen, a country whose energy needs increase by 10 percent annually, is expected to hold tenders for energy transmission lines soon. The Yemeni government gives a 25 years guarantee of purchase of electricity to those private sector companies willing to invest in renewable energy in Yemen.
At the symposium organized by Sana›a University, the Yemeni Center for Future Startegic Studies (Manarat) and the Civil Society Coordination Council, Abu Bakr Al-Maflahi, Culture Minister, said the visit will mark a milestone in the bilateral cooperation and deep-rooted links between the two countries, as about 100 Turkish businessmen will accompany their president to Yemen.
The Turkish-Yemeni businessmen council, yet to be officially announced, will hold meetings to find ways to strengthen the bilateral economic cooperation and to enable businessmen from both countries to launch joint investment ventures.
Ahead of the council meetings, a delegation from Turkey›s Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges will arrive in Yemen on January 7th to prepare for the meetings.
