[07/August/2012]

SANA'A, Aug.07 (Saba)- Yemen and U.S. discussed here on Monday bilateral cooperation areas between the two countries in oil and gas sector and ways of enhancing them.

This came in a meeting between Minister of Oil and Minerals Hisham Sharaf and the U.S. ambassador to Yemen Gerald Firestein, who touched on the positive developments regarding the activities of oil production and export, especially in Marib, expecting an improvement in the fiscal indicators during the next six months.

They also dealt with aspects related to the current preparation for the donors' conference, in which the sponsor countries of the Gulf initiative and Yemen's Friends will discuss supporting Yemen in various fields.

At the meeting, Sharaf pointed to the significant projects that will be submitted by the Ministry of Oil to the donors' conference, including key strategic projects of economic feasibility that can get affordable financing to increase the added value of Yemeni petroleum products.

He referred to the importance of increasing the cooperation between the two countries in the technical aspects and improving performance of oil and gas installations, affirming the importance of partnership with the U.S. in the oil and gas industry.

Sharaf reviewed the Ministry's current activities in respect of work in the oil and gas sector and the facilities offered by the Ministry for the oil companies operating in Yemen.

He noted that the Ministry has, in its program for the transitional phase, a special component to promote and encourage companies to invest in Yemen.

For his part, the U.S. ambassador renewed his country's support for Yemen in preparation for the donors' conference, especially the programs and projects of economic feasibility and financial benefit to Yemen.

The U.S. ambassador pointed out that the upcoming meetings between the two sides will result in several programs that will serve the development of cooperation between the two countries.

BA
Saba