HC Deb 31 July 1997 vol 299 cc630-1W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what facilities and advice are available to United Kingdom companies wishing to participate in the privatisation and development of Yemen's international port at Aden. [11291]

Mrs. Roche

Within the DTI, the Yemen country desk and the section in projects export promotion directorate with responsibility for ports actively monitor this project and alert UK companies with expertise in this sector to the business opportunities it presents.

The country desk, in conjunction with the British embassy in Yemen, has already organised a seminar on board Britannia, while it was in Aden in February, for British companies interested in the opportunities offered by the port development. Forthcoming opportunities include a DTI-supported trade mission led by HRH the Duke of Gloucester in September and October, another DTI-supported trade mission in February 1998, and a DTI-supported all-British trade fair in Sana'a in November 1997. The country desk and export promoter for Yemen are also organising a seminar on investment finance for Yemen in the UK in September 1997 with speakers from Yeminvest and the World bank.

The country desk will continue to work closely with the commercial section in the British embassy, Sana'a, including the second secretary, commercial, a new post that has been created to respond to the increase in commercial opportunities in Yemen, and in particular those offered by the developments in Aden.