Review of the Progress in Economic Reform World Bank Vice President in Sanaa Today [Archives:1997/44/Front Page]

Mr. Kamal Darwish, Vice President of the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa region, arrives in Sanaa today, Monday, November 3rd, on a 5-day familiarization trip to Yemen. This is the first visit to Yemen by Mr. Darwish, a Turkish national who commands an excellent international standing. Dr. Osman Ahmed, Head of the World Bank office in Sanaa, insisted the program goes beyond familiarization. “The purpose of the visit is for Mr. Darwish to review with the Yemeni authorities the progress that Yemen has been making in its reform program,” he said. Yemen’s reform package, worked out in collaboration with the World and the IMF, calls for integration of the local economy with the world, removal of price distortions and improving administrative performance. The World Bank official will hold extensive talks with leading Yemeni officials, including a courtesy call on President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He will also call on the Aden port as part of the visit. The World Bank provides the Republic of Yemen with annual development financing of around US$ 140 million. Most of the World Bank financing, especially the IDA money, is provided on very concessionary terms. Major World Bank contributions have been in educational, health, and infrastructural projects.

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