Official Name

Republic of Yemen

Capital

Sana'a

Currency

Yemeni rial $1 = 198.13 Rials (YER)

Population

22,230,53[3] (51st)

Main Languages

Arabic

Total GDP

2005 estimate Total $19.480 billion (110th)

Main Economic Sector

Mineral resources in the Yemen have not been President accurately assessed or fully xploited, but are thought to be large. Copper deposits were found near Ta'izz in 1969 and oil was discovered in 1972. It is known that further rich mineral deposits exist, chiefly of zinc, iron, lead, gold, silver, copper, sulphur and nickel.

In times gone by, iron deposits were utilized in a minor way in local industries such as the making of swords and knives. Today, salt is mined at Salif, where deposits are hought to total 25 million tonnes.

Manufacturing industries in Northern Yemen are light. These industries produce cement, paints, metal and cotton products. Other local industries consist of tanning, spinning, weaving and handicrafts.

Companies by the Yemeni Oil and Minerals Ministry. Reliance Industries Limited has got 2 oil blocks, GSPC and IOC-OIL in partnership with foreign companies have got 3 oil blocks and 2 oil blocks respectively.

Indo-Yemen Trade Relation

Indo-Yemeni relations date back to ancient times. The old and historical ties between India and Yemen are confirmed by the fact that even today there are about one hundred thousand persons of Yemeni origin in India in Andhra Pradesh and an equal number of people of Indian origin in Yemen, particularly in the South and the East of Yemen. Yemeni traders were intermediaries for Indian trade with the Roman Empire. Subsequently, contacts were intensified with the Haj route from India running through Yemen.

Political Relations

The foreign policies of India and Yemen have much in common. Both are committed to non-alignment, support for Arab issues and the PLO, and a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean.

Economic and Commercial Relations

In order to give a boost to the economic and commercial relations, an agreement for setting up a Joint Committee for Economic and Technical Co-operation was signed during the visit of Mr. Ahmed Zaif Ullah Alozeb, the then Permanent Under Secretary in the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 1993. So far, six JCMs have been held, the last one being in April 2007, which was co-chaired from the Indian side by Shri N. Ravi, Secretary (East). Both sides agreed to intensify the co-operation in various fields mainly in the energy sector

Visit by H.E. Mansour Ahmed Alhawshabi Minister of Agriculture and irrigation on 4th June 2008.

Visit by H.E. Khalid Mahfoud Bahah Minister of Oil and Minerals, on 15 January 2008.

Visit by H.E. Rashad Ahmed Alrassas Minister of Law Affairs. On 30 June 2008.

Foreign Office consultations are an on-going process and the last consultations were held in New Delhi in January 2005. In the year 2008, the next Foreign Office Consultations would be held in Sanaa.

Some of the areas in which there has been an ongoing cooperation are: telecommunications, oil & gas, minerals, power, education, health, electronics etc.

In December 2006, a total of 7 oil blocks were awarded to Indian

Main Contact in New Delhi

D-2/5, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi - 110057
Tel. 42705723/24 / Fax : 24705725
E-mail : info@yemeninindia.com
Website : www.yemeninindia.com

Main Contact in Mumbai

102-A, Maker Towers 'F', 10th Floor,
Cuffe Parade, Mumbai - 400005.
Tel.: 22187570 / 22183956 / Fax : 22187661
E-mail : yemen20@hotmail.com

Indian Embassy

Republic of Yemen

Building No. 12, Djibouti Street,
Off Hadda Street, Sana'a.
Telephone: 00-967-1-441251-52 / Fax: 00-967-1-441257
Email: indiaemb@y.net.ye / Web : www.eoisanaa.com.ye

Chamber of Commerce

FEDERATION OF YEMEN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

PO box 16990, Hasaba, Airport Road, Sana'a
Phone: (967) 1-223539 / Fax: (967) 1-251551
President: Hussein Al Watari

HODDEIDAH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

PO Box 3370, Liberty Square, Hoddeidah
Phone: (967) 3-217401 / Fax: (967) 3-211528
President: Abubaker Shammakh

NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

PO Box 5029, Crater, Aden
Phone: (967) 51104 / 51203 / Fax: (967) 1-232412

SANA'A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

PO Box 1957, Sana'a,Yemen
Phone: (967) 1-232362 / Fax: (967) 1-232412

TAIZ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 5029, Taiz
Phone: (967) 4-210580 / Fax: (967) 4-212335

INDO-ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES

39, Maker Tower "F", 3rd Floor,
Below Saudi Consulate,
Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400 005. India
Tel. 91-22-40606162 Fax : +91-22-22188221
E-mail : iacci@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Web : www.iacci.org

Visa Procedure

Entry restrictions: The Government of the Republic of Yemen refuses entry and transit facilities to holders of Israeli passports, or holders of passports containing visas valid or expired for Israel or any indication, such as entry or exit stamps, that the holder has visited Israel.

Passports: Passport valid for at least 6 months after date of departure required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except:

• nationals of Iraq, Jordan and Syria;
• transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided they hold valid onward or return documentation and are not leaving the airport.

Types of visa: Tourist/Visitor (Single-entry only); Business (Single-and Multiple-Entry); Work; Transit.

Validity: Single-entry (2 months from date of issue); Mutiple-entry (6 months or 1 year from date of issue).

Cost: Tourist/Visitor: £25. Business: £35 (Single-entry); £90 (6-month Multiple-entry); £180 (1-year Multiple-entry).

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see address section.

Application requirements: Tourist/Visitor:

• Completed application form.
• 2 passport-size photos.
• Return ticket.
• Valid passport.
• Fee in postal orders or cash; company cheques are accepted.
• Stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal applications.
• Letter from travel company organising the trip. Business: (a)-(f) and
• Letter from company explaining purpose of visit and nature of business. Work visa: (a)-(f)
• Work permit from local authority in Yemen.

Main Tourist Attraction

To appreciate Yemen's considerable natural beauty, one has to leave the city and explore the countryside . While the main roads are well surfaced and traveling them is a comfortable experience, taking to the rugged mountain tracks in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is an adventure well worth the effort . The serpentine mountain roads offer breathtaking views into Wadis lined by countless man-made terraces. Visit the barren eastern mountains with their fascinating rock formations and be awed by the encroaching desert's sand dunes. Dive into the clear waters of the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean or explore the tropical flora and fauna of the lower wadis with their clear monsoon streams and unique settlements and culture. And if you like the off beat, do not miss the experience of crossing the desert "Ramlat Assaba'atyin" on the southern corner of the Rub'a-alkhali, between Marib and Shabwa, the shortest way to the famous Wadi Hadramout. You can follow the ancient Gold and Incense Road along the edge of the desert. In Marib you can visit the old great Marib dam, The Queen of Sheba temple and the remains of ancient civilizations. To enjoy the varied scenery, explore mysterious historical sites, marvel at the architecture, and most of all meet the people, many of whom maintain their original ways of life, is an unforgettable experience . Wherever you go, children will appear curious, boisterous, and sometimes annoying, you do not need to give them any thing , just small smile and show some good humor and they will love you.

Main Imports

Consumer goods, machinery, chemicals, iron and steel.

Main Exports

Coffee, hides and skins, salt and foodstuffs.

Harbour

Al-Hudayah on the Red Sea

Useful Websites

http://www.yemen-nic.net

Photographs of Historical monuments & Tourist attraction