• Prince Khalid bin Salman says funding is aimed at building a better future for Yemen and its people
• Package includes building hospitals and schools, restoring Aden's airport, and constructing a desalination plant

Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is to invest SR1.9 billion ($506 million) in development projects in Yemen, the Kingdom’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Wednesday.

The support includes 28 projects in the health, energy, education, and transport sectors, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The package includes a new grant of petroleum derivatives to operate power plants across Yemen.

The announcement was made during a meeting with the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi, Yemen’s Prime Minister Salem Saleh bin Braik, and the Governor of Aden Abdulrahman Sheikh Al-Yafai.

The funding will see the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen work with the Yemeni government and local authorities to support key institutions and services in Aden, Hadramaut, Al-Mahrah, Socotra, Marib, Shabwa, Abyan, Dhale, Lahij, and Taiz.

The projects include the construction of a desalination plant, the restoration of Aden airport – the country’s main aviation hub in the south, the opening of a hospital on Socotra island, and the construction and equipping of 30 schools.

Prince Khalid said the package “embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening security and stability and contributing to building a better future for Yemen and its people.”

The meeting also covered relations between Saudi Arabia and its neighbor, developments in Yemen, and efforts to end the Yemeni crisis through a comprehensive political solution.

“We stressed the importance of continuing efforts, regarding the future of the southern issue, through the Riyadh conference to find a comprehensive vision for just solutions,” Prince Khalid said.

Key projects under the development package

Aden

The continued operation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital for the next three years.

The building of the first desalination plant of its kind in Yemen to address the scarcity of fresh water.

The second and third phases of the Aden Airport rehabilitation project, including rebuilding the runway and providing navigation and communication systems.

A government headquarters and presidential complex project.

Construction, expansion, and upgrading the coastal road.

Al-Mahra

The operation of King Salman Medical and Educational City for three years, following the completion of construction work.

Establishing a Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences within King Salman Medical and Educational City.

Hadramaut

Upgrading the main Al-Abr-Seiyun road.

Establishing Hadramaut University Hospital

Supporting Hadramaut and Seiyun Universities through the two new computer science and information technology faculties.

Developing the Agricultural Veterinary Technical Institute.

Socotra

Constructing the King Salman Mosque.

Operating Socotra Hospital.

Establishing a technical institute and a college of education.

Constructing and equipping several model schools.

Abyan

Construction and equipping of Sabah Hospital.

Building and equipping model schools.

Shabwa

Operate Shabwa Hospital.

Establish model schools.

Supporting the agricultural sector.

Taiz

Establish and equip Al-Ain Rural Hospital.

Construct a 30-megawatt power plant.

Operate Al-Mukha Hospital.

Marib

Implement final phase of the Al-Abr road expansion.

Construct and fully equip girls’ educational complex.

Al-Dhale

Establish Al-Dhale Rural Hospital.

Build a number of model schools.

Provide teacher training programs.

Lahij

Build a maternity and child health center in Ras Al-Ara.

Across Hadramaut, Aden, Lahij, Abyan, Al-Dhale, Shabwa, and Socotra

Construct and equip 30 schools at a rate of 10 schools per year.

Across all areas:

A fuel derivatives grant to contribute to the operation of power plants and provide reliable electricity to hospitals, medical centers, schools, airports, ports and other facilities.