On Sunday, Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak convened a significant meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen. The gathering included leaders from the ministry and various affiliated agencies within the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
The meeting aimed to discuss strategies for enhancing the roles of these sectors in resource development and national economic support. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of agriculture and fisheries as one of the government’s top five priorities. He highlighted the need to address current challenges and maximize the potential of promising sectors to achieve economic stability for citizens.
Addressing Food Security Challenges
During the discussions, participants examined proposals to tackle food security issues. Suggestions included expanding arable land, developing fish landing centers, and improving the fishing sector.
Prime Minister bin Mubarak directed the General Authority for Land, Survey, and Urban Planning, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, to prevent the conversion of agricultural land into residential areas across the country. He stressed the importance of protecting and expanding agricultural land, rehabilitating degraded areas, and safeguarding natural reserves. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to halting construction on beaches and public recreational areas.
Encouraging Innovative Partnerships
The Prime Minister called for innovative thinking to create partnerships with both foreign nations and the private sector. He urged stakeholders to explore investment opportunities and draw from the experiences of other countries to enhance the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
Dr. bin Mubarak acknowledged the crucial role of ministry leaders and staff in supporting government initiatives. He highlighted the need for tangible results and the establishment of effective models for success. He praised the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve performance and urged continued momentum in achieving significant advancements.
Economic Challenges and Government Initiatives
In light of the ongoing economic difficulties, including the suspension of crude oil exports and persistent Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, Prime Minister bin Mubarak emphasized the necessity of optimizing resource utilization. He outlined the government’s coordinated efforts with the Presidential Leadership Council to control inflation, address budget deficits, and stabilize the national currency.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to economic, financial, and administrative reforms. He highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, combating corruption, and enhancing public revenue while promoting responsible spending.
Minister of Agriculture’s Remarks
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Major General Salem Al-Saqtri, welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit and expressed gratitude for his support of the ministry’s activities. He discussed the challenges facing the ministry and proposed solutions to overcome them. Al-Saqtri also highlighted the ministry’s accomplishments in institutional development and capacity building, including the activation of agricultural and fisheries research centers and the establishment of information centers.
Engagement from Ministry Leaders
The meeting featured contributions from various ministry leaders and agency officials. They focused on presenting proposals to boost agricultural and fisheries production and support fishermen and farmers in overcoming existing challenges. Participants agreed to hold regular meetings to continuously monitor and prioritize tasks in the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the agricultural and fisheries sectors, ensuring a collaborative approach to tackling the pressing challenges facing Yemen’s economy. The Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, Engineer Anis bin Awad Baharitha, also attended the meeting.
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