Association is guiding light Industries develop, but still need help [Archives:2002/42/Business & Economy]

The Yemeni Industrialists Association is one of NGOs of the industrial sector. Established in 1996, it works as a coordinator between private and public sectors. Its mandate is to develop Yemeni industry. To report more, Yasser Al Mayassi of met with Dr. Abdulwahed Al Afori, general manager of the association. Following is an edited version of their conversation.
Can you tell of the association’s goals to serve Yemeni industry?
The Yemni Industrials Association is a non-government organization representing the the industrial private sector. It helps industries across Yemen develop and co-ordinate their resources, to help Yemen prosper.
The association was established in 1996 by a large number of industrialists and investors. It has been very successful in its various national and international activities, helping initiate good business methods in the industrial sector in Yemen.
How much does the association work with other groups?
We believe in establishing a wide industrial base to work with partners in Yemeni society: the private sector, government, civil society and other organizations. Our view in this point is helps industrial development, and that it’s the key to the success of sustainable development programs in the long and mid terms. With this in mind, the association works hard to establishing relations with all official bodies and private organizations.
The main authority is the Ministry of Trade and Industry, including all linked institutions, the General Authority for Standards and Qualities, the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training, The Ministry of Finance, Tax and Costums Authorities, and many other governmental bodies. Private sector bodies include the Chamber of Commerce, the Agricultural Cooperative Union, the Consumer Protection Association, and others.
What are the association’s challenges?
The association is suffering from a variety of difficulties, mainly financial. A funding shortage means projects of the association are delayed. It also means there’s a lack of public awareness, and at times misunderstanding of the significant role conducted by NGOs which work for private sector interests. Such a lack of understanding means some businessmen find it hard to know the real role of the association. However, we look at al these difficulties as challenges which we should overcome, and we continue our steady progress.
Do you take part in negotiations between Yemen and the World Trade Organization, to help Yemen get membership in the WTO?
In fact, there is no official representation for the association in the national mechanism that is negotiating to join the WTO even we asked for official participation in this negotiation many times. It seems that the absence of the legislations is behind this delay. We are no looking to issue a decree to get us on the negotiating committee.
What are the negative impacts the WTO may have on our national industries?
It clear that there will be much harm to our national products if a WTO agreement is signed before proper preparations, such as rearranging the local industrial policies and conducting many reforms needed, particularly reforms involving government support for the industrial sector. The important thing is that we should be well-prepared before joining the WTO. We need to gain from the benefits of such agreements. They can help revive economic growth in our country.
How will Yemen’s participation in some GCC institutions effect your industries?
It may seem that there is no future for Yemeni industries in the Gulf States due to the the high living level of Gulf consumers, and the standards and qualities system applied in addition to the development of their local industries. But I think that is not very true.
Once the industrial environment ingredients are available in Yemen: solid infrastructure, services, education and training, building the required institutional administrative and technical abilities in industrial establishments, reform administration and legal judiciary systems, then the future of our national industries will be bright.
I think Yemeni industries are very promising, especially in food industries, agricultural, leather, and clothes. The government is taking this into account and is working on financial reforms. It’s now in Year 2 of five-year plan, and I feel very optimistic of the future of Yemni industries.
What is the status of Yemeni industries among other exporting competitors?
There’s no doubt, the situation is critical, because the completion is not always fair. Most foreign products exported to our country are from industries supported by their governments. Their goods are produced by high technologies, while our industries still suffer difficulties which lead to production, inflation, and loss in competitive value.
In addition, our national industrial framework is still in its infancy and the required experience and capital is not accessible, compared to other foreign industries. The real goals on targeted outcomes and wise administration, however, has paved the way for many Yemeni products to resist completion and and get to oversea markets along with others.

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