Basindwa calls for private sector contribution to economy

Yemeni prime minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa Yemeni prime minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa has assigned a number of economic advisers for the country's development programmes, acting on a World Bank directive, it has emerged. The consultants are lady by former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and might include experienced bureaucrats from the EU.
In the "Development priorities in Yemen" conference, Basindwa called for a joint institution between the government, the private sector and NGOs to work towards achieving the impoverished Gulf country's development goals.
The prime minister added that the current tasks and responsibilities for Yemen were "massive".
"The government cannot face this alone...there is a national responsibility that lies on the private sector during this critical time," he said.
He said his government was convinced that the private sector could provide a range of ideas, training, and advice on helping the state improve its income from taxes, customs and investments in infrastructure, such as education and healthcare.
Basindwa emphasised his government's commitment to providing a suitable environment for the private sector. He also called on the private sector to cooperate with the government in the fight against corruption, saying: "It is illogical to say that we are all against corruption, while some of us are working illegally to pass certain interests."
The conference also witnessed talks on the priorities of economic reforms from the private sector's point of view. Discussions focused on five priorities: infrastructure, youth employment, effective partnership, security, and the rule of law. The conference highlighted the current situation and its challenges, mainly the low rate of energy production, and the need to provide energy to the community in an optimum manner and with the lowest cost possible. It also addressed reducing wastage of water, which threatens the country's water reserves, and ensuring the best use of oil, gas and minerals reserves.