Barran Press
Ahmed Bin Mubarak, the internationally recognized Prime Minister of Yemen, urged for increased international support on Tuesday to halt the decline of the national currency, which has recently plummeted below 2,000 rials per US dollar.
This call came during his meeting with Norway’s Special Envoy to Yemen, Heidi Johansen, in Aden, where they discussed the state of Yemeni-Norwegian relations, according to the official Saba News Agency.
Bin Mubarak emphasized that current regional and international changes necessitate greater support from the international community to facilitate the desired transformation for all Yemenis. He highlighted that stabilizing the national currency is a top priority due to its direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of citizens.
The Prime Minister provided Johansen with a comprehensive overview of the reforms being implemented by the government, supported by key partners like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, aimed at curbing the decline in the currency’s value and its significant effects on citizens' daily lives.
He noted that the country's challenging economic situation is largely due to the economic warfare waged by the Houthi group, which is internationally classified as a terrorist organization. The drop in the currency's value is a critical issue that the government is striving to address with urgent solutions.
The meeting also touched on regional and international developments, including the situations in Palestine and Lebanon, and the ongoing efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, along with the necessary international pressure to encourage the Houthi militia to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people.
In response, Johansen reaffirmed Norway's full support for the Yemeni government’s reform initiatives aimed at alleviating humanitarian suffering. She noted that supporting Yemen remains a priority for Norway, emphasizing the importance of coordinating with the government on necessary support aspects while advancing the peace process.
As of Tuesday, the Yemeni rial has experienced its most significant collapse in history, with the exchange rate for the US dollar reaching 2,002 rials for sale and 2,011 rials for purchase, according to Barran Press banking sources in Aden.