Crossing into the futureLet’s value people, not the GDP [Archives:2003/626/Business & Economy]

By Irena Knehtl
There are many answers to Yemen's problems of development. They, however, don't lie so much in the wholesale adoption of foreign values, and ideas, as in a more realistic perception of one's self, the past, the culture, and the splendidly complex ecosystem that may well provide exciting alternatives.

He too came to the big city. Quietly he sat down on the chair in the reception room and waited to be received by the big man. Dusty and rundown heels were an indication that he traveled from afar. He wore the usual Yemeni futta with jambia around his belt. The colorful turban hardly covered all his gray hair. His look expressed dignity and pride.
On the other corner of the reception room sat we with a delegation of international investors. We also waited for the big man, the Chairman of an international investment bank.
He has come to see the big man. Perhaps in his own way, in his own community, he is also a big man. Maybe he is also a man who although his word is not law surely has some weight and meaning. Here in the big city, he came to see a bigger man, who yields greater powers. He brings along the customary gift, a sign of respect and goodwill.
The delegation of international investors also came from afar. We waited for the chairman to join us in the discussion. The minute he will join us, we shall discuss important matters.
The delegation of international investors did not bring along any gifts as sign of respect and goodwill, but there was no lack of notebooks, pens, calculators, portable computers, each having several web sites, email addresses. Some of them were already nervously preparing questions.
The moment the chairman will join, they will put him questions concerning the interest rate, participation of the Yemeni industry and agriculture, GNP and so on and so forth. They will review forecasts and performance until the year 2020. They will scrutinize feasibility factors and discuss further which particular sectors they might invest and which would be profitable.
The old man's mission probably has been related to less important matters. Maybe assistance for road construction, schools, or hospitals. Or perhaps a word or two with the bigger man for the so much needed water and electricity.
His village would be far beyond these mountains, situated as it is on the highest hill. His village at the same time is his big world. He would have a piece of land, would grow vegetables and fruits. In the afternoon the old man would make himself comfortable in his mafraj. With his family and neighbors he would talk about this and that.

That they belonged to it.
It belonged to them.
The Red and Arab seas wild as silk.
The spring rains.
The apricot trees, grapes, and coffee beans.
The dusty mountains.
Geometric terraces.
The gold brown desert.
The stars, and the moon.
There has been a quality in their beauty, fashioned by work, it had given them strength and grace.

This today is the world of majority – it is their daily routine.

The truth
We, so deeply immersed as we are in statistical data, GNP, production national income, using all the time sophisticated phraseology, so naturally we think this is what majority needs. The truth is that we are faced with two faces, one is that of cities, and the other of the countryside.
The later presents the silent majority. Still for how long we may ask.
The revolution of development will have to start there. It centers about such things as provision of basic services, infrastructure, community based development, and effective local government.
Development is about hopes, dreams, justice, pride, dignity, respect, and inclusion of opportunities, cooperation and exchange. Justice, social economic and political liberty of thoughts, expression, belief, faith, and worship equal the status of opportunity.
Further to harmonize man with the nature, and anything small which in the process of thinking big was bound to be forgotten. Witnessing its awakening is an intensive moment of excitement, enthusiasm and doubt. Here are unfinished revolutions, dreams, hopes, disappointments, loves, sorrows, and so many things one would want to have them different.
Yemen lives in several centuries all at the same time.
The economy is an issue as it was never before. It has to do with aspects of a more direct involvement and integration into world economic system.
Economics is about every day life. However, good policies, and promising potential will leave Yemen in a position to complete:
– To open up means to choose the path of knowledge.
– Living work is the path of development.
– Simplicity constitutes the very purpose of man.
– Human beings and not economic indicators are in the center of development.
Good ideas are also a tremendous force capable to transform the world.
What matters is not to have but to be.

The challenges
Independent from importance of investment development will come to mean less volume, and more quality and creations of ideas of their own.
The battle is this: The challenge for 21 century is to dismantle the big and develop the people. Just what types of investments, projects, and which technology will be more appropriate, as we have to become ten to twenty times more efficient in use of resources is a further challenge.
Rural areas need first to think about quality and quantity of food supply, roads for commerce, clothes to wear, power to light their houses, and irrigate their lands to make life more comfortable.
Globalization brings more welfare such as democracy, human rights, and technological advantages. But now it seems that the negatives sides of this process is difficult to be denied. The so-called market forces and technological development functions without ethical consideration. Here the confession that market cannot be the main actor in the process.
It is people, traditions, history, proverbs, sights, smells, weddings, births, and humor. It seems that we have once again unleashed forces we have been unable to control.
Collective issues also need to be better addressed. One is 'blue gold.' Water can be lives most precious commodity. Water is to be treated as a key resource for economic and social development with emphasis placed on managing water demands, and water quality and in the interest of the whole community.
The region also accounts for 60 percent of world desalination capacity but that option is only open to oil rich countries. The region is highly urbanized. Withdrawals in Yemen, for example, already exceed renewable supplies. Population growth and economic development were overwhelmed. Issues of efficiency, allocation and water quality should be urgently addressed. To mine ground water may be justified for now. But it cannot continue indefinitely.
Yemen's great reserves of man power are best kept on the land. Restoration and improvement of degraded land in the highlands, improvements in storage, and application of water and elementary inputs that enable farmers to raise production on existing fields are likely to prove more rewarding. Yemen offers broad opportunities for many kinds of specialized agricultural products, including fruits and vegetables that could be attractive to innovative local investors, as well as foreigners. Conditions also favor specialized livestock, poultry, and fish farming. Food processing for domestic used and export has a good potential for expansion. Once set into notion economic growth feeds itself.
There should not be a balance of power but community of power, not organized rivalries, but organized peace.
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