Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, stressed the government's commitment to maximizing the private sector's leading role in development, job creation, economic recovery, and addressing challenges. He emphasized the need to streamline services, particularly in maritime operations, and implement a single-window system to facilitate access to services, eliminating bureaucracy and centralization.

The President made these remarks during a meeting with the Hadhramaut Chamber of Commerce and Industry leadership, led by Omar Abdulrahman Bajarsh, and several business leaders in the province. The meeting, held at the Presidential Palace in Mukalla, the capital of Hadhramaut, was attended by Governor Mabkhout bin Madi, according to the official Yemeni news agency Saba.

Al-Alimi highlighted the importance of the meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, praising their efforts and humanitarian and developmental interventions amidst the ongoing unjust war ignited by the Houthi terrorist militia with Iranian support.

He expressed pride in the private sector's role in mitigating the impact of the humanitarian and service crisis, particularly in education, healthcare, and securing essential goods in the market. He expressed hope for increased private sector investments in various sectors, particularly given the significant financial pressures facing state institutions.

During the meeting, al-Alimi reviewed the government's financial challenges and their impact on the country's public finances and investment program, which has been stalled in many sectors, especially after Houthi attacks on oil facilities in Hadhramaut.

He noted that the government is working on a matrix to support the capabilities of the local authorities in Hadhramaut, with the private sector at the heart of this promising matrix. He expressed hope that the province will become a vital economic hub, leveraging its exceptional resources and rich historical legacy in finance and business.

According to Saba, the President listened to the priorities of the Hadhramaut business community, their commendable national investments, and the support needed to facilitate their activities, protect industrial products, and enhance their competitiveness.

Since Saturday, July 27, President Rashad al-Alimi, along with council members Abdullah al-Alimi and Othman Majli, have been visiting the oil-rich Hadhramaut province in southeastern Yemen.

This is al-Alimi's second visit to Hadhramaut since the Presidential Leadership Council assumed power in Yemen in April 2022. The province has faced intertwined financial and developmental challenges since terrorist attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia on oil facilities, export ports, cargo ships, and international shipping routes.

Upon his arrival, al-Alimi emphasized the Council and government's understanding of the financial situation in Hadhramaut, expressing their commitment to sharing in the province's successes and failures, rather than avoiding responsibility.