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HE Mr. Khaled Behah, MOM's minister, stated that his
visit to India and talks with Mr. Murli, the Indian
oil and natural gas minister, proved to be extremely
fruitful and positive. The first outcome of such a
visit is the visit of the Indian minister Mr. Murli
and his accompanying delegation to Yemen. The aim of
their visit is to have more knowledge about
investment opportunities in the Yemeni oil and gas
sector and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in
this vital sector. Mr. Behah made this statement
yesterday morning when he and the Indian delegation
were visiting Aden governorate to have a look at the
existing oil facilities, their potentials and future
developing plans. During their tour, the Yemeni and
Indian delegations were given a brief account of the
investment opportunities in Yemen's Economic Capital
by specialists there.
Commenting on his visit to India, Behah stated that
his visit was extremely important, for it reflects
the ministry's orientation to attract foreign
investments in order to improve the Yemeni oil and
gas sector, a fact which would strongly boost the
Yemeni national economy. He indicated that bilateral
cooperation between Yemen and other developed
countries in the oil and gas domains would enable
Yemen seize their expertise and modern technology
and, thus, employ such advancements and experience
in improving Yemen's oil and gas sector.
Mr. Behah added, "The delegation of the MOM which I
chaired to India opened for Indian oil, gas, and
minerals companies new investment venues. Not only
that, Indians displayed a real desire to invest in
the Yemeni oil, gas and minerals sectors. The first
sign illustrating such will is the visit of Mr.
Murli, the Indian oil and natural gas minister, and
his accompanying delegation representing specialized
Indian bodies and agencies."
He further held talks with the Indians to give them
sufficient information about Yemen's activities in
the oil and gas sector. He gave them an account
covering the time of drilling the first oil well in
1961 to the most recent oil project in Yemen. All of
that was to create a real partnership based on
transparency, confidence and positively mutual
cooperation. More over, a protocol between Yemen and
India was signed aiming at elevating the level of
cooperation and coordination among ministerial
committees by which both ministries would have
annual meetings. In addition, there are
joint-technical committees in both countries which
would work periodically and annually and follow up
relevant activities.
Mr. Khaled Behah accompanied his counterpart Mr.
Murli and accompanying delegation in a tour to Aden
Refinery, al-Buraiqah district where they were
received by Mr. Fatehi Salem (the Refinery's
executive manager), Mr. A'teq Ahmed Ali Hussein (the
general manager of the Yemeni Oil Company's Aden
branch) and a number of officials.
Then the Indian delegation went on a tour to the
Aden Refinery. At the Refinery's headquarter, they
watched a documentary film on the construction of
the Refinery by British Petroleum Company (BP) and
how its ownership was transferred to Yemen. The film
further showed updated information about the
Refinery's departments, its production and storage
potentials and business activities as well as its
future plans to update and improve its plants. Then,
the leadership of the Refinery represented by Mr.
Fatehi Salem granted the Indian delegation memorial
presents.
Later on, directing his speech to the Refinery's
employees, Mr. Khaled Behah ensured that the MOM is
determined to rebuild the Refinery's hospital so it
could offer them and the public with the best
medical services. In this respect, an invitation to
bid has been made and advertised. He urged the
establishment of the Company's main office and the
construction of a website on the Internet which
should present the Refinery in an honorable manner.
Then
both the Yemeni and Indian delegations went to
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's School located in
Crater. The school's administration, teachers and
pupils presented a remarkable celebration
demonstrating to what extent both countries enjoy a
deeply-rooted and ancient relationship. In the
party, a number of speeches were delivered by the
school's staff and by the Yemeni and Indian oil
ministers. All speeches emphasized that
strengthening Yemeni-Indian
relationship would efficiently serve both countries.
At the end of the celebration, both oil ministers
laid down flowers on Gandhi's memorial statue
standing in the school square.
More over, in the meeting between HE Mr. Behah with
the leadership of Aden Refinery represented by Mr.
Fatehi Salem, executive manager, and his
vice-manage, Mr. Yousif Gulaigle and a number of
directors, a number of points were discussed
concerning the activation of future projects of the
Refinery. Most included:
updating the Refinery;
constructing a new hospital;
building a main office for its administration;
Besides stressing ridding the Refinery of steel
remnants in its square, he underlined the importance
of planting trees and of keeping the Refinery clean.
He further added that the funding and updating of
the Refinery would cost at a minimal rate an amount
of $500 million.
Then, Mr. Minister and his accompanying delegation
paid an inspection visit to the site of the hospital
located behind the old one as well as to the new
head office located in the opposite side of the
Refinery.
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