Aden: Two decades of prosperity under Yemen unity

By: Hassan Kassem Translated by: Bashir al-Slewi

ADEN, May 19 (Saba) - The province of Aden, since the announcement
of the Republic of Yemen on May 22nd , 1990, has enjoyed the great interest and continued care and follow-up by the political leadership represented by President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

This presidential care has resulted in great achievements and successes witnessed
by the province in the political, economic, developmental and cultural aspects and
human
development.
In the era of the great unity, Aden has restored its prestige and its economic and
trade leading role as the economic and commercial capital of Yemen through
benefiting
from its important strategic seaport ,international airport ,and container port, as
well as the Aden Free Zone that attract local ,Arab and international investments.
This distinct presidential interest comes to achieve the civilization advancement
in the city of Aden for the economic and historic importance of the city that
enjoyed the
privilege of raising the first flag of the Republic of Yemen on the 22nd of May,
1990, which indicates the most expensive goal of the Yemeni Revolution goals,
September and
October, to achieve Yemen unity, and confirms the sacrifices and status of Aden and
its role in the modern history of Yemen.
As Yemeni people live happiness these days on occasion of the Renunciation Day,
that makes it our duty to refer briefly to the most great achievements made in the
province
during the two last decades in the key sectors of services ,development and
investment within the three five-year plans (1996-2000),(2001-2005) and (2006-2010).
During this period, that is short in the process of developments, the projects
reached 3,048 projects in the various development sectors in the province at a
total cost
of more than YR 738 billion.
The investment sector in the province has occupied, over the past two decades, the
biggest part of projects, where the total number of projects licensed by the
General Authority
for Investment (GIA) in Aden amounted to 1,667 projects implemented and being
completed by national ,Arab and foreign investments in the various sectors at an
estimated cost
of YR 451.4 billion.
The Aden Free Zone came in the second rank with 39 projects at a cost of more than
YR 93.8 billion, followed by 18 projects in the sector of electricity at a total
cost
of about YR 37.3 billion, and 311 projects in the sector of public works and roads
and city improvement at a cost of more than YR 28.8 billion.
The sector of higher education and scientific research has enjoyed the State's
care, where the implemented projects reached 45 projects at a cost of over YR 11.7
billion,
and 80 projects in the sector of telecommunications and information technology at a
cost of YR 11.2 billion, and 109 projects in the public health and population sector
at
a cost of YR 9.3 billion.
In addition to, 48 projects in the oil and minerals sector at a cost of more than
YR 8.1 billion, 48 projects in industry and trade sector at a cost of YR 9.7
billion, 227
projects in the sector of education at a cost of over YR 7 billion, and 12 projects
in the media sector at a cost of more than YR 4 billion.
In the sector of youth and sports, the projects amounted to 23 projects at a total
cost of YR 4.4 billion, and 105 projects in the sector of endowments and guidance
at a
cost of YR 3.4 billion, three projects of the Port Cities Development Program at a
cost of YR 1.3 billion, and 25 projects in the fisheries sector at a cost of YR 1.2
billion,
as well as 32 projects in the sector of internal security at a cost of YR 3.5 billion.
Whereas the total number of projects in the sectors of local administration
,justice, agriculture, civil service, culture and tourism amounted to 45 projects
at a total
cost of more than YR 2 billion.
Besides, the province of Aden has recently witnessed more realistic system to
achieve objectives, policies, programs and plans of the socioeconomic development,
which reflected
the successful experience of the local authority system.
The General indexes of the investment program for the projects of both the local
and central authorities for 2010 have estimated allocations at a value of more than
YR 31.8
billion for the implementation of 212 projects, among them 186 projects currently
being completed and 36 new projects.
Furthermore, an ambitious economic plan was set for the province for 2010-2011,
which comes within the seventh priority of the State's ten priorities according to
the directives
of His Excellency President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The executive procedures matrix for this new plan was based on the development of
Aden seaport, Aden Free Zone, Aden airport and the infrastructure modernization ,
as well
as diversifying the economics of Aden city through 55 projects in the different
areas at an estimated investment cost of YR 132.9 billion.
Thus, this distinguished city is entering the third decade of the Yemeni unity age
with confident steps towards the civilization advancement.