DCCI receives the Chairman of Sana'a Governorate Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The meeting discussed possibilities of boosting bilateral trade and fostering the interaction between business communities in Dubai and Yemen.

Mr. Mutaiwee emphasized the necessity of enhancing the level of contact between both sides. "The economic and commercial relationships are likely easy to develop strongly and when they are boosted by a political encouragement", he said, "Nevertheless, the strong economic initiatives could play a significant part in pushing political dialogue on joining Yemen with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) into a more accelerating action". He remarked, in that respective, to the human resources' wealth of Yemen that could be beneficial for the GCC development.

According to the World Fact Book, the population of Yemen is greater than 20 million.

The Yemeni official explained that Yemen enjoy a wealth of resources which can build a platform of benefits for the Arab brother countries. He highlighted the abundance of vegetation and fruit that flow in Yemen all year around and available for export to all over the world, with a priority to the neighboring Arab countries. He pointed out to the storing facilities being developed currently to keep the products in a good state before exporting.

With a total GDP of about US$ 15.09 billion (2003 est.), Yemen is conducting a program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to substantial foreign debt relief and restructuring. The public debt constituted 39.5% of GDP (2003).

The meeting also discussed the possibility of exchanging visits between business communities to better understand the horizons of building a more active relationship between both sides. Mr. Al Sawari highlighted the structures of the Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Yemen and the obstacles that hinder their progress, expressing his hope of learning from the experience of Dubai in that regard.

Mr. Mutaiwee briefed his guest with the DCCI's strategy, mission vision and its services extended to Dubai business community, focusing on the parts played by the Business Groups and Business Councils under its umbrella in promoting Dubai and its economic relations with the world.

"The 19 business groups are venues to allow members to be more involved in DCCI's activities and to have bigger roles in identifying major problems and issues in the sectors of their business, and in shaping economic policies and legislation", Mr. Mutaiwee said. "The DCCI was empowered to supervise the business councils in Dubai, each of them comprise business persons of certain nationality from those who are residing and practicing various economic activities in the UAE", he added.