Yemen considers reforming industrial sector

15 April 2008

Sanaa is considering plans to introduce two new laws for the industrial sector and setting up a new body to advise the government on its industrial policy.

Details of the laws have yet to be revealed, but Industry and Trade Minister Yahyal al-Mutawakil says that they will be focused on expanding the sector and increasing the contribution it makes to the economy.

Al-Mutawakil made the comments to the annual meeting of the Yemeni Manufacturers Association on 15 April.

The government is also considering plans to set up a higher industry council which will set out industrial policy for the government, in consultation with private sector companies. The council’s members will be drawn from public sector bodies and manufacturing companies.

The cabinet also approved a tough new anti-terrorism law on 15 April, in response to a series of recent attacks on western targets in the country. The law lists kidnapping, looting and destroying public or private possessions as terrorist offences. Punishments include the death penalty.

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