AL-QIRBI IN SINGAPORE TALKS

SINGAPORE, May 19 (Saba) – Singapore's Prime Minister Le Hsien Loong has received Yemen's Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi and the two discussed investment opportunities in Yemen, particularly in the Aden Free Trade Zone and industrial zones to be set up soon.

The meeting also dealt with the bilateral relationship and means of boosting it.

At it, Loong voiced his country's desire to forge economic ties with Yemen.

Al-Qirbi also held talks with his Singaporean counterpart George Yeo that focused on mutual cooperation between the two countries as well as exchanging viewpoints over issues of mutual interest.

Also, the minister attended a seminar organized by the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at the National University of Singapore under the theme: Yemen in the Changed Middle East and delivered a lecture shedding light on changes witnessed in Yemen over the last two decades as well as obstacles facing the region.

He also replied to questions by participants.

Moreover, the minister met with Singaporean Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaqub Ibrahim and the two discussed the possibility of learning from the Singaporean expertise in the water sector.

Ibrahim expressed his ministry's readiness to offer all support for water authorities in Yemen. He also said that Singapore welcomes Yemeni officials to come and learn from its experiences in various fields, particularly in water management and preservation to help resolve Yemen's water problems.

Al-Qirbi started an overseas trip last week that included stops in Italy and China.

From Singapore, he will fly to Tajikistan for the 37th round of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

FR