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Muslimtrade Network members
about Yemen.
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Y E M E N
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1 GENERAL PRESENTATION
1.1 General characteristics:
| Official name: |
Republic of Yemen |
| Surface |
528,000 Km² |
| Population |
15.3 millions inhabitants (1996) |
| Density |
29 inhabitants per square kilometer |
| Capital |
Sanaa |
| Climate |
The weather in Northern and central highlands is warm in summer but cold in winter. Tihama and Southern coasts
including Aden, are hot, humid but arid. Eastern plains and desert are hot, arid and hostile. |
| Main holidays |
January 1st, September26th , Prophet’s birthday*, Eid Al-Fitr*, Eid Al-Adha* and Islamic new year. |
| Weekly day off |
Friday |
* Variable dates
1.2 General Information
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Language
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Arabic is the official language, English is also used in official and business
circles
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Currency
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Yemeni Rial (YR) 130 YR= 1 US$ (1996)
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Local time
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GMT + 3 hours
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Working hours
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· Government offices: From 8h to 14h / From Saturday to Thursday.
· Commercial establishments: From 8h to 12h and from 15h 30
to 19h30 from Saturday to Thursday |
1.3 Legal framework of trade relations:
Yemen is member of the following international organizations:
| Organization of the Islamic Conference (O.I.C); |
| United Nations Organization (U.N); |
| League of Arab State; |
| Group – 77 |
Yemen - along with Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria – is member of the Arab
Common Market established in 1965 after the conclusion of the Agreement of Arab Economic Unity. Yemen has also
signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union within the framework of which both parties are granted most-favored
– nation treatment.
2 TRADE STRUCTURE (1996):
2.1 Main imported and exported products:
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Main imported products
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Main exported products
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Textiles
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Crude Oil
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Petroleum Products
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Coffee
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Sugar
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Cotton
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Grains
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Hides & skins
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Machinery and chemicals
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Vegetables
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Manufactures
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Dried and salted fish
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2.2 Principal trading partners:
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Main customers
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Main suppliers
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U.S.A
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Saudi Arabia
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Italy
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France
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U.K
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U.K
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Saudi Arabia
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U.S.A
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France
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Australia
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3 FOREIGN TRADE REGULATIONS:
3.1.Imports regulations:
Import licenses are not required, but the import of pork and pork products, coffee, alcohol, narcotics, fresh
fruit and vegetables, weapons and explosives and rhinoceros horn is prohibited.
At the import level, the following documents are required:
Three (3) copies of the ordinary commercial invoice should accompany shipments. The invoice should contain a
full and accurate description of the goods, the marks and numbers, value of the merchandise, country of origin
and net and gross weight.
A separate certificate of origin is required for shipments to Yemen. The general form sold by commercial stationers
is acceptable.
There are no regulations specifying the form or number of bills of lading required for any particular shipment.
A bill of lading customarily shows the name of the shipper, the name and address of the consignee, port of destination,
description of the goods, the listing of the freight and other charges, the number of bills of lading in the full
set, and the date and signature of the carrier’s official acknowledging receipt on board of the goods for shipment.
3.2 Exports regulations:
Exporters must contact the Yemeni authorities to obtain information on the modalities and legalization that
should be applied.
3.3 Other formalities and documents:
A health certificate is required for shipments to Yemen of animal stocks, food and agricultural products
Imports of pharmaceuticals require a free sale certificate stating that the commodities in question are in free
circulation in the country of Export.
A mark of origin must appear on any merchandise labeled with English wording that could possibly be considered
misleading as to the true origin of the goods.
All freight insurance on imports must be placed in Yemen.
Goods should be packed securely to withstand rough handling and pilferage
4. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS OF FOREIGN TRADE OPERATIONS:
4.1 Banking system:
The central bank of Yemen, based in Sanaa, is the republic’s monetary authority, overseeing the banking sector
and controlling official foreign exchange transactions.
The major Yemeni commercial banks are the Yemen Bank for reconstruction and development and the national bank
of Yemen. Foreign Banks active in the republic include France’s Bank Indosuez , Pakistan’s United Bank and Jordan’s
Arab Bank.
4.2 Foreign exchange system:
Commercial Banks are allowed to purchase foreign exchange domestically from customers and tourists and to hold
a percentage of foreign exchange purchased to effect import payments on behalf of the central bank. There are no
taxes or subsidies on purchases or sales of foreign exchange.
Under the investment law, investors are permitted to hold foreign-currency accounts in Yemeni
Banks; they are entitled to customs exemptions on capital imports of five to ten years.
4.3 Methods and means for international settlement:
Commercial banks are authorized to open letters of credit for the importation of most goods, provided that such
imports are self financing; these banks may accept licenses issued by the ministry of supply and Trade in respect
of these imports without approval from the central bank.
5 CUSTOMS TAXATION
Yemen’s tariff schedule is based on the Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature.
5.1 Applicable duties and taxes
Yemen’s tariff schedule consists of ad-valorem duties ranging from 5 percent to 30 percent. Most food products
are dutiable at 15 percent;
Yemen has a cooperation agreement with the European Union whereby both parties are granted most-favored-nations
treatment and promote reciprocal commercial and economic relations.
Sudan and Yemen agreed in principal to join the Arab Common Market under an arrangement that would provide for
50 percent initial reduction in duties on imports from member states.
Imports of industrial input are subject to an excise tax. All imports are assessed a 1 percent tax for reconstruction
related to earthquakes.
A free trade zone is established on the port of Aden; Goods may be enter duty-free but are charged the applicable
duty, and they subsequently enter imports into the customs territory of Yemen.
Equipment may be imported temporarily for use in a specific project but must be re-exported once the project
is completed.
6 FOREIGN TRADE LOGISTIC
6.1 International Transports:
The port of Aden used to be one of the world’s busiest bunkering and transshipping points. With substantial
investment in new equipment and the creation of a free zone, the government is hoping to regenerate the port as
a potential hub for shipping en route between the "tiger" economies of the pacific rim, the Indian ocean,
East and north Africa, the middle East and Europe. Hodeidah on the red sea coast is still Yemen’s largest dry cargo
port. Mukallah, Mokha and Ras Issa are also important ports.
Yemen is well connected internally by air, with airports in most of the major cities. The national Airline is
to purchase two long-haut jets for routes to the U.S.A, Europe and South-East Asia. The major international airports
are Sanaa, Aden and Rayan (Mukallah).
in 1990 there were 4937 km of paved roads and 10509 km of unpaved roads. The construction of a metalled road
linking the Omani road Network with al-Ghaidah on the Yemeni side of the border is underway.
6.2 Telecommunications
By the end of 1996, the number of working lines increased to 316,000. Existing analogue systems will be converted
to digital systems. A fibber-optic cable links Sanaa with Saudi Arabia and TAIZ, and an undersea cable linking
Aden to Djibouti came into service in 1995.
6.3 Distribution System
Only Yemeni citizens or sole proprietorships owned by Yemeni nationals may be licensed as agents. The contract
between principal and agent must stipulate the amount of commission payable for the services of the agent.
Foreign firms may open branch offices in Yemen to perform certain functions.
7 USEFUL ADDRESS:
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Organization and Public Establishments
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Address
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Tel
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Fax
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Telex
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| Central Bank of Yemen |
P.O. Box 59, Ali Abd
al-Mughni St. – Sanaa |
(9671) 274371 |
(1)274131 |
2280 |
| Ministry of Supply and Trade |
P.O. Box 1804 – Sanaa |
(9671) 252471 / 252340 |
(1)251570 |
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| Ministry of Industry |
P.O. Box. 1804 – Sanaa |
(9671) 202770 / 202769 |
(1)202249 |
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| Ministry of Planning and Development |
P.O. Box. 175 – Sanaa |
(9671) 250101
through 6 |
(1)251503 |
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| National Company for Foreign Trade |
P.O. Box. 90 – Crater, Aden |
(9672) 42793 |
(2)42631 |
8960 |
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