Fahd’s era saw support for Yemen’s development in various fields [Archives:2005/868/Reportage]

By Nabil al-Osaidi
For Yemen Times
Contemplating the Yemeni-Saudi relationship since late King Fahd assumed power, one would realize the considerable evolution of such a relationship characterized by mutual confidence, and cooperation in political and security affairs, etc. needless to mention King Fahd's commendable role in activating the channels of contact between the governments of the two countries and pushing them into new horizons of distinctive partnership and integration.

The era of King Fahd marks a period of active support for Yemen in a multiplicity of developmental fields. This support is manifested in a number of significant activities and functions that positively impacted Yemen's development including education, agriculture and economy at large. His contributions, by way of example and not limitation, cover:

Technical and vocational training:

Under the reign of HM King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi government contributed effectively to Yemen's development and education. It took part in the achievement of the largest technical education project in Yemen: the establishment of 35 technical and vocational institutes with a variety of specialties at a total cost of $100 million, half of which was offered by the Saudi Fund for Development. The Saudi contribution was used for building some 19 technical institutes in a move to train Yemeni workforce so as to meet the regional and international labor market's needs.

These institutes were to be distributed around the country on the basis of population and local economic activity. Veterinary institutes, for example, were to be established in areas where livestock are concentrated, agricultural institutes in agricultural areas, and technical institutes in industrial areas.

Agricultural support and cooperation:

Agricultural cooperation grew rapidly in the era of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. Recently, an agricultural cooperation agreement has been ratified. Signed in 204, the agreement states that the two brotherly countries shall cooperate in agricultural research, preservation of plants and livestock, utilization of official border centers, and increasing the number of patrols and field survey along the borders to fight smuggling of livestock and agricultural products.

Upon the motion of Yemenis, seconded by Saudis, Saudi and Yemen economic entities agreed to establish a joint company to cool and transport vegetables and fruits to both Yemeni and Saudi markets.

Guidance and endowments:

During the era of King Fahd, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Yemen and Saudi Arabia last year in the field of Islamic affairs and endowments. It aims to enhance cooperation in introducing Islam abroad and showing its advantages and toleration. It also has the objective of encouraging the exchange of experiences in terms of mosque organization and preacher training.

Easy-term loans and poverty alleviation:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under HM King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, provided $250 million, to fund financial and economic enterprises on easy terms. Some $100 million was channeled through the Saudi Export Program. It funded some vital projects in Sa'ada province. Another $107 million, earlier allotted for Sana'a-Amran-Aden road, was reallocated for the Rural Roads Project at the meetings of the Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council's Preparatory Committee held on June 18-20 in Sana'a. The Saudi side showed readiness to fund Yemen's infrastructure projects in the third five-year plan (2006-2010) and support poverty alleviation efforts.

Health projects:

The era of King Fahd, Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines, was marked by cooperation in the health sector as well. The Saudi government furnished Yemen with much health aid such as rehabilitation and enlargement of Aden General Hospital. This project got SR 50 million in funds from the Saudi Fund for Development. It also supported the Sana'a-based Military Hospital and the Heart Center.

Cooperation in the health sector includes also medicines and collaborative research in medicine and exchange of medical and health experiences between the two sides.
——
[archive-e:868-v:13-y:2005-d:2005-08-15-p:report]