World Bank: Yemen has got to do a lot about reform [Archives:2005/832/Front Page]
Yasser Mohammed Al-Mayyasi
Yemen, like other countries in the Middle East, faces challenging economic obstacles, said Dr. Mustafa Nabli, Chief Economist and Sector Director, World Bank at a roundtable organized Saturday April 9 by the World Bank and Yemen's Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The roundtable was aimed to formulate a clear vision regarding economic changes.
“The countries of the region have to create some 90 million new jobs by the year 2020. Through the next two decades, workforce will increase by 74 million new laborers,” said Dr. Nabli. “This rise is equal to the accumulated rise from 1950-2000. Unemployment rate is estimated at 15% resulting in great negative impacts.”
He said that Middle East countries including Yemen should interact with the world making real reforms that can create integrated solutions. Reforms should be one integrated system. The countries in the area should proceed in reform by implementing political change to lay down the ground for reforms and bestow credibility on governments.”
He added, “Governments need to revive national dialogue concerning restructuring and distribution of development programs to which governments and peoples should contribute.
He pointed out challenges before Yemen which is part of the region's countries.
“With rapid increase in workforce at 4% annually which is among the highest rates worldwide, Yemen will be needing to provide 4 million jobs during the next 20 years.
“The private sector is required to participate in alleviating unemployment. Yemen is in need for diversify economy. It is not enough to rely on oil revenues as was the case in the last decade. Non-oil exports are very low compared to the average of the Middle East and North Africa (7% of domestic “
production).”
Dr. Nabli confirmed that Yemen has gone long in certain fields such as economic stability, education, infrastructure, and freeing trade but this success should be deeply rooted through a wider coverage in woman education and health as well as a larger contribution to economic activity, better education, and improvement of workforce skills so as to meet market's needs.
He stated that Yemen needs to systematically adapt itself to cope with the coming challenges especially the economic ones. It should change the general development policy and apply reforms to all areas in order to effect a positive change in people's life.
Dr. Nabli described reforms as an integrated system which should be carefully implemented.
“Reforms do not mean finding new monetary resources as it means application of laws and regulations to combat corruption, a hurdle needed in a country like Yemen.”
He indicated that Yemen is a country which has a high corruption rate similar to any other Arab country, and that corruption goes against investment and development as well as the interests of the people.
“We can't find one single solution to corruption. However, through many ways, we can fight corruption.
“In Yemen, there must be certain atmospheres for women to join the labor market including reconsideration of laws to facilitate women entering the labor market. We should cancel legislatures posing discrimination against women.”
The Roundtable on growth, labor and social development was concluded yesterday after reviewing Middle East and North Africa regional reports on trade, investment, good governance, gender and labor. The reports were discussed with Yemeni experts to diagnose the challenges faced by Yemen. The Roundtable's discussions are expected to provide inputs into the preparation process of the next 5-year development plan and reform agenda.
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