UAE embassy celebrates National Day amid prospering commercial relations with Yemen [Archives:2007/1109/Local News]
SANA'A, Dec. 4 ) In a huge celebration that included many social and diplomatic figures, Emirates ambassador Ali Saif Sultan Al-Awani commemorated the 36th anniversary of UAE National Day last Sunday at the embassy's premises in Sana'a.
Al-Awani welcomed the guests and commented on the achievements the United Arab Emirates has accomplished throughout the years, especially with regards to tourism and commerce that has made it a pioneering country in the region.
At the celebration, Yemeni officials praised the support and influence UAE has in Yemen and commented on the good relations shared between the two countries. UAE is one of the GCC members in favor of Yemen's joining the council, and has provided continuous support to develop Yemeni economy.
“GCC countries believe that Yemen would be a vital addition to the council, hence asking Yemen to join some establishments was a preliminary step towards full membership, when the circumstances are right,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Foreign Minister during the recent gulf summit.
On the same front, end of last month, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, welcomed economic and investment cooperation and affirmed the UAE's readiness to offer its expertise to Arab brotherly countries.
Consequently, on Saturday, Transportation Minister Khaled al-Wazir revealed that Yemen and International Dubai Seaport Company signed last Wednesday a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint Yemeni-UAE Company to develop and operate Aden Container Terminal. The memo was signed during the visit of Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi to the United Arab Emirates. The agreement stipulates a 50-50 percent share for the signing parties.
Yemeni authorities at the ministries of trade, and planning have continuously expressed their optimism at this agreement hoping that Yemen can benefit from the Emirates expertise in development.
When the UAE was first established, President Sheikh Zayed and his colleagues had the foresight to decide that the revenues from oil, and later, gas exports should be used to fund a major program of development of the country's infrastructure. Over the next three decades UAE government was able to lay down the essential elements of a thriving society, including housing, medical services, airports, ports and a modern transportation infrastructure, as well as a system of state education for the country's citizens that provides free schooling from the primary stage to university level.
During the embassy's celebration in Sana'a, a documentary was displayed in honor of late Sheikh Zaid Bin Sultan, the founder of UAE in 1970. “The people of UAE are now enjoying the development fruits that resulted in the stability and prosperity we see today, which was led by Sheikh Zaid who devoted his life for building this state,” said Al-Awani.
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