Yemen (Hansard, 12 November 1997)

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the number of British firms which have offices in Yemen. [14975]

§ Mrs. Roche
According to the latest information I have there are 20 British firms with offices in Yemen.

§ Mr. Vaz
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to promote trade and investment in Yemen. [14977]

§ Mrs. Roche
In partnership with the private sector, other Government departments and the British Embassy, the Department of Trade and Industry supports a full programme of activities to promote trade and investment in Yemen.
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Recent activities include: an inward mission of Yemeni business women in May, the Committee for Middle East Trade Round Table meeting between the private sectors of Yemen and Britain in September, an Invest in Yemen seminar in London in September, a DTI supported trade mission to Yemen in September led by HRH the Duke of Gloucester; a DTI seminar addressed by the Yemeni Minister of Health in October, a joint DTI and British Council workshop and forum in October at the House of Commons on Women and Economic Development in Yemen.
Planned future activities include: the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister for Trade the President of Yemen during his visit to Britain in November; the Minister for Trade's visit to Yemen in November; catalogue exhibitions featuring British companies' goods and services Aden, Taiz and Sana'a in November; at least four DTI supported trade missions to Yemen in the first half of 1998, including one on the oil and gas sector and another on tourism, and a further inward mission of Yemeni businesswomen. In conjunction with the British Council the DTI will facilitate the setting-up in Sana'a of a training and advice centre for businesswomen in Yemen.
DTI has also initiated a twinning arrangement between the Chambers of Commerce of Sana'a and London.