Abu Dhabi Government Reiterates Support to Yemen

The Government of Abu Dhabi will offer the Yemeni Government an AED2.385 billion (US$650 million) grant to finance sustainable socio-economic development projects that are to be managed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chairman of ADFD, and his counterpart His Excellency Abu Bakr Al Karbi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the development grant at Abu Dhabi.

The MoU covers the financing of 14 vital projects in different regions in Yemen. ADFD will solely manage 12 projects while it will cooperate with the UAE Ministry of Interior to execute a smart card project. The UAE Red Crescent will manage the reconstruction project of building damaged as a result of floods in the Hadramout valley.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the UAE’s strong and deep-rooted ties with Yemen at several levels, and stressed on improving these relations for mutual benefit. He said ADFD has played a pivotal role in driving sustainable development in Yemen, as well as in 53 countries since the organization was founded in 1971 for the larger support of developing countries around the world.

His Excellency Abu Bakr Al Karbi, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Yemen, reaffirmed the strength of Yemen’s relations with the UAE. He thanked the wise Emirati Leadership for launching several developmental initiatives in his country, which have provided a solid platform for energizing the local economy by driving core sectors such as healthcare, education, housing, energy and infrastructure, among others.

Mr. Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Acting Director General of ADFD said: “This MoU reflects the strong commitment of our leadership to provide assistance to neighbouring countries through substantial support for their developmental drive. The projects are specifically envisaged to drive socio-economic growth in the long-term, and ensure balanced growth that will benefit all sections of the society, especially the underprivileged.”

Al Suwaidi explained that ADFD initiated its contributions for growth projects in Yemen since 1974, financing 12 projects valued at AED 394 million. It has further supervised the execution of 21 projects financed by the Government of Abu Dhabi worth approximately AED 3 billion. He reiterated the government’s support to strengthen the sustainable growth drive of Yemen which covers several key sectors.

As per the MoU, ADFD will supervise crucial infrastructure development projects in transport, energy, water, sewage, healthcare, education, culture and social development. Key among these is the construction of the Sad Hassan Dam, valued up to AED275 million and with a capacity of 20 million cubic metres. The scope of work includes constructing the dam’s concrete wall, pools of water, energy facilities and main irrigation channels.

ADFD will also supervise the second phase of works for developing a rural road network worth approximately AED 165 million that will effectively link several rural areas with the cities thus bringing sustainable growth to several village communities.

On the education sector, the MoU will extend support for the second phase of the Engineering Faculty in the Sana’a project. The scope of work includes expanding new engineering specializations such as civil engineering, electrical and architectural engineering, as well as construction of buildings and providing necessary equipment. The project is valued at AED55 million. Additionally, ADFD will drive approximately AED147 million to build, rehabilitate and equip technology for 20 institutes and professional training centres.

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