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Yemen
Overview
Country Overview
The Republic of Yemen is bordered by Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Gulf of Aden. To the west lies the Red Sea. Yemen is predominantly mountainous, supporting terraced agriculture. The Central Region, intensely cultivated for centuries, is the site of many of the major towns. Sana’a, the capital, dates back to the first century. The citadel, Qasr al-Silah, was rebuilt after the arrival of Islam in the seventh century. The Great Mosque of Sana’a is the oldest and largest of the mosques in Sana’a. Ta’izz lies in the south at an altitude of 1400m (4590ft). The old city has been all but swallowed up by modern developments but beautiful old houses and mosques remain within the 13th-century city walls. The port of Aden is mentioned in the Biblical Book of Ezekiel (c. sixth century BC). There is a collection of pre-Islamic artefacts in the National Museum of Antiquities near Tawahi Harbour. To the south of Aden is Little Aden, in the crater of an extinct volcano; this is an area of small fishing villages, with several superb beaches fringing the Indian Ocean. The seafood is particularly recommended, as is haradha (a mincemeat and pepper dish).
General Information
Area: 536,869 sq km (207,286 sq miles).
Population: 18.3 million (2000).
Population Density: 34.1 per sq km.
Capital: Sana’a. Population: 926,595 (1993). Economic & Commercial Capital: Aden. Population: 400,783 (1993).
GEOGRAPHY: The Republic of Yemen is bordered in the northwest, north and northeast by Saudi Arabia, in the east by Oman and in the south by the Gulf of Aden. To the west lies the Red Sea. The islands of Perim and Karam in the southern Red Sea are also part of the Republic. Yemen is predominantly mountainous, supporting terraced agriculture. The Hadramaut is a range of high mountains in the centre of the country. Highlands rise steeply in central Yemen, ranging in height from approximately 200m (656ft) to the 4000m (13,123ft) peak of Jabal Nabi Shoveb. In contrast is Tihama, a flat semi-desert coastal plain to the west, 50-100km (30-60 miles) wide. Surface water flows down from the mountains through the valleys during the rainy season and the area is cultivated for cotton and grain. In the east, the mountains drop away to the Rub al-Khali or ‘Empty Quarter’ of the Arabian Peninsula, a vast sea of sand. The arid coastal plains are fringed with sandy beaches.
Government: Republic since 1991. Head of State: President Ali Abdallah Saleh since 1990. Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdul Kader Bajammal since 2001.
Language: Arabic. English is widely spoken as a second language.
Religion: Sunni Muslim (especially in the north) and Shia Muslim, with some small Christian and Hindu communities. There is also a small Jewish minority.
Time: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 220/230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available in parts of the country. Country code: 967. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network. Operators include Spacetel and Yemen Mobile Phone Company.
Fax
Some hotels have facilities.
Internet
ISPs include TeleYemen (website: www.y.net.ye). There are Internet cafes in Sana’a and Mukalla.
Telegram
Facilities are available. Yemen Telecommunications Company has offices at Steamer Point (24 hours) and at Crater.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe from Sana’a takes about four days; mail to and from other towns may take longer. Post office hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1400 and 1600-2000.
Press
English-language publications include The Yemen Times (weekly). Arabic dailies include Ash-Jumhuriya and Al-Thaura.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Restricted entry and transit: 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. Entry is also refused to nationals of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan and Tunisia if their journey does not originate from their home country.
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months after date of departure required by all.
VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and United Arab Emirates;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist/Visitor (Single-entry): £30. Business: £40 (Single-entry); £120 (six-month Multiple-entry); £220 (one-year Multiple-entry). Transit: £30.
Validity: Single-entry: Two months from date of issue for stays of up to one month; Mutiple-entry: Six months or one year from date of issue for stays of up to one month each.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.
Application requirements: (a) Two completed application form. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Return air ticket. (d) Valid passport. (e) Fee (if applying in the UK, the fee must be paid at a branch of HSBC and proof of payment must be presented with visa application). (f) Stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal applications. (g) For tourist visits, letter from travel company organising the trip. Group travel must be organised through a travel company in Yemen. (h) For business visits, an invitation from the applicant’s company explaining the purpose of the visit and the nature of the business. (i) For Multiple-entry visas, a letter from a company in Yemen.
Working days required: Three. If applying by post, processing will normally take five days.
Money
Currency: Yemeni Riyal (YR) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of YR1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 fils.
Currency exchange: It is inadvisable to change too much money as local currency is not easily reconverted.
Credit & debit cards: Cards generally have limited acceptance; Diners Club and American Express are the most widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Can be exchanged at some banks and hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions: Import and export of local currency up to YR2000 for residents, and prohibited for non-residents. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currencies but amounts exceeding US$3000 should be declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency should not exceed US$3000.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Yemeni Riyal against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | £1.00= | 253.99 | 268.27 | 260.93 | 283.24 | | $1.00= | 174.29 | 176.39 | 164.85 | 177.89 |
Banking hours: Sat-Wed 0830-1200, Thurs 0800-1130.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into the Republic of Yemen without incurring customs duty:
600 cigarettes or 60 cigars or 450g of tobacco; 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages (non-Muslims only); 1 bottle of perfume or eau de toilette; gifts up to a value of YR100,000; gold ornaments (women only) weighing up to 350g.
Prohibited items: Firearms, narcotics, illegal drugs, obscene literature, all products of Israeli origin.
Public Holidays
Nov 30 2002 Independence Day. Dec 6-8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 12 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Muharram (Islamic New Year). May 1 Labour Day. May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 22 National Day. Sep 26 Revolution Day. Oct 14 National Day. Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 30 Independence Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Muharram (Islamic New Year). May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 22 National Day. Sep 26 Revolution Day. Oct 14 National Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 30 Independence Day.
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | 1 | | Cholera | No | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 2 | N/A | | Malaria | 3 | N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
3: Malaria risk, almost exclusively in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year (but mainly from September through February) in the whole country excluding Aden and the airport perimeter. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Chloroquine plus proguanil is recommended.
Food & drink: Where mains water is chlorinated it may cause mild abdominal upsets; supplies in Sana’a are said to be safe. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks: Cutaneous leishmaniasis exists throughout the area and visceral leishmaniasis may occur in the west of Yemen. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Typhoid fever, dracunculiasis, onchocerciasis and hepatitis A occur; hepatitis B is endemic. The altitude may cause health problems.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.
Health care: Health care facilities are generally good in major cities, although some drugs are unavailable. The major hospitals in Sana’a are: Al Thawra, Al Jumhuriyya and Al Kuwait. In Aden, there is the Al Jumhuriyya, the Saudi Hospital and the Refinery Hospital. Most large cities have a general hospital. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Medical insurance is essential.
Travel - International
Note: Due to increased terrorist activity and the possible threat to tourists, it is not advised to travel to Yemen at present. For further advice contact a local government travel advice department.
AIR: The Republic of Yemen’s national airline is Yemen Airways (Yemenia) (IY) (website: www.yemenia.com.ye).
Approximate flight times: From London to Sana’a is 10 hours (direct) and to Aden is 9 hours, excluding stopover time.
International airports: Sana’a (SAH) (El-Rahaba) is 13km (8 miles) north of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Transport to the city centre is by taxi. Airport facilities include a bank/bureau de change, duty-free shop, baggage facilities and restaurants (all open 24 hours), as well as car hire.
Ta’izz (TAI) (al-Janad) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Taxis, buses and hire cars are available.
Hodeida (HOD) is 8km (5 miles) from the city. Taxis, buses and car hire are available.
Aden (ADE) (Khormaksar) is 11km (7 miles) from the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Limited bus and taxi services available.
Departure tax: None.
SEA: The main international ports are Aden, Hodeida, Lohenja, Mokha, Mukalla, Nashton and Sulif. Cargo vessels with passenger berths call at Hodeida.
ROAD: Driving to Yemen is not recommended but there are routes from Riyadh, Mecca and Jeddah (in Saudi Arabia) to Sana’a.
Travel - Internal
AIR: Yemen Airways (IY) operates services between Sana’a, Ta’izz and Hodeida. There are also flights from Aden. It is advisable to double-check flight reservations and times before departure.
Departure tax: None.
SEA: Local ferries connect local ports. For details, contact port authorities.
ROAD: There are approximately 5000km (3125 miles) of asphalt roads and 20,000km (12,500 miles) of feeder roads. Road conditions are quite poor and many roads are in a state of disrepair. The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Urban Planning is now supervising a redevelopment and reconstruction plan for Yemen’s road network. Within Sana’a and from Ta’izz to Mokha, the roads are reliable. From Aden to Ta’izz is three to five hours’ driving time. A road links Aden and Sana’a, otherwise the road network is mainly limited to desert tracks. Use of four-wheel-drive vehicles and a guide is recommended. There is a road from Aden to Mukalla of 500km (310 miles). Traffic drives on the right. Bus: There are regular intercity bus services. The General Authority of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section) runs landcruisers and tourist coaches to all towns. Taxi: Recognisable by yellow licence plates. Taxi-sharing is the cheapest transport between cities. There are minimum charges within main cities but fares should be negotiated beforehand for intercity journeys. Car hire: Available in main towns; four-wheel drive is recommended. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. A temporary licence valid for three months is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid national licence.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Sana’a to other major cities/towns in the Republic of Yemen.
| Air | Road | | Ta’izz | 0.45 | 3.30 | | Hodeida | 0.40 | 3.00 | | Aden | 0.45 | 4.30 |
Accommodation
HOTELS: Accommodation varies from ancient palace hotels and modern luxury hotels to funduks and tribal huts. It is necessary to book in advance and to receive a written confirmation. Winter and summer rates are the same. All bills are subject to a ten to 15 per cent service charge. Standards range from basic to 5-star. The best hotels are located in Hodeida, Mareb, Sana’a, Ta’izz and Tawahi (Aden). There are also hotels at Jaar, Mukalla (al-Shaab), Mukheiras, Seiyyum (al-Salaam) and Shihr (al-Sharq). Outside the main centres, facilities are limited. Contact a travel agent or the General Authority of Tourism for further details (see Contact Addresses section).
CAMPING: Khokha and Mokha have campsites; details may be obtained from local travel agents in Sana’a.
Introduction
The Republic of Yemen is the least known, and in many ways the most spectacular, region of all Arabia. As much of the Central Highlands rises over 3000m (10,000ft), travellers should be prepared for the high altitudes. The attraction of the Republic of Yemen for the visitor is largely its striking scenery, spectacular Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture and the deep sense of the past. Tours are available within and around the major cities; enquire at local travel agents for details.
Sana’a & Area
SANA’A: This area has been intensely cultivated for centuries and is the site of many of the major towns. Sana’a, the modern capital and long an important citadel along the trade route between Aden and Mecca, dates back to the first century and, according to popular legend, to early biblical days. The citadel, Qasr al-Silah, was rebuilt after the arrival of Islam in the seventh century and is still intact. The old centre is surrounded by the remains of the city walls, which can be seen in the south along Zuberi Street before Bab al-Yemen, in the east along Mount Nugum starting from the walls of the citadel, and in the north on the road from Bab Sha’oob to Taherir Square. The 1000-year-old Bab al-Yemen Market is divided into 40 different crafts and trades. The spice market is one of the best to visit, standing out from the rest by the rich aroma of incense and famed Arabian spices. Other markets include the Souk al-Nahaas, once the copper market, now selling embroidered head-dresses, belts and jambias (curved daggers). The Great Mosque of Sana’a is the oldest and largest of the mosques in Sana’a and one of the oldest in the Muslim world, constructed in the lifetime of the Prophet and enlarged in AD 705. The layout is typical of early Islamic architecture, with an open, square courtyard, surrounded by roofed galleries. The National Museum is located in Taherir Square in Dar al-Shukr (or the ‘Palace of Gratefulness’); it contains engravings of pre-Islamic times, bronze statues, a beautiful mashrabia (cooling place for water) and several examples of folk art. It offers a good view of Taherir Square and the Muttawakelite Estate from the roof.
ELSEWHERE: Some 8km (5 miles) north of Sana’a is Rawdha, a garden city famous for its sweet grapes, the mosque built by Ahmed ibn al-Qasim and the Rawdha Palace, now used as a hotel. Amran, north of Rawdha, lies on the edge of the fertile basin of al-Bawn. The city is surrounded by the old clay city walls of pre-Islamic, Sabean origin. Hajjah is a day’s journey to the west of Sana’a. The countryside is made up of high mountains and large valleys, including the Wadi Sherez, 1000m (3280ft), and Kohlan, 2400m (7875ft). Hajjah itself is a citadel, situated on the central hill of Hajjah, famous for underground prison cells used by the Imams. Hadda Mountain, south of Sana’a, is dotted with villages and orchards growing apricots, peaches, walnuts and almonds. The village of Hadda has two old Turkish mills. Wadi Dhar, 10km (6 miles) from Sana’a, is an idyllic valley filled with grapes, pomegranates and citrus fruits, surrounded by a barren plateau. Shibam, 36km (22 miles) from Sana’a, is a pre-Islamic settlement, protected by the great fortification of Koukaban.
The West & Southwest
TA’IZZ: The city of Ta’izz lies in the south at an altitude of 1400m (4590ft). The old city has been all but swallowed up by the fast-growing modern city around it but beautiful old houses and mosques remain within the line of the 13th-century city wall, which is still intact along the southern side. To the north, only the gates of Bab Musa and al-Bab al-Kabir remain. The southern wall offers a splendid view of Ta’izz. Al-Qahera, within the city walls, is the fortress and the oldest part of the city. Al-Ashrafiya and al-Mudhaffar are two of the most beautiful mosques in Yemen. The museum in the Palace of Imam Ahmed contains the personal effects of the last Imam, and has preserved the spirit of Yemen from before the beginning of the Republic. The Salah Palace, to the east just outside the city, is another museum of the royal family. The Souk Ta’izz sells a variety of goods, including silverware and carpets. Mount Saber is 18km (11 miles) from Ta’izz and offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Ta’izz basin. A heavy-duty vehicle is needed to drive to the top. The mountain rises to an altitude of 3000m (9840ft) and the weather can be very cold.
THE RED SEA COAST: Mokha is an old Himyarite port on the Red Sea. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Mokha enjoyed a boom period exporting coffee, which was becoming fashionable in Europe (particularly Venice and Amsterdam, where the first coffee houses were opened). Coffee was later cultivated elsewhere and Mokha fell into decline. In recent years, the Government has improved the harbour and communications within Mokha in an attempt to resurrect this once-prosperous city. Hodeida is reached via the mountains of Manakha. A modern city port on the Red Sea, the harbour itself was completed in 1961. There is little here of historical interest apart from the fish market, where fishing boats have been built from wood in the same way for hundreds of years.
ELSEWHERE: The Tihama in the west has a negligible rainfall and is predominantly hot, humid and sparsely populated. The road south from Sana’a to Ta’izz runs through extremely mountainous countryside and passes the towns of Dhofar, the ancient capital of the Himyarites (115 BC–AD 525), and Ibb, a once-important stopping point on the Sana’a to Ta’izz road. Remains of the city walls and an aqueduct can still be seen. The Sumara Pass, at an altitude of 2700m (8860ft), gives a spectacular panoramic view over the Yarim and Dhamar basins.
Along another route, running roughly parallel to the Red Sea coast, Beit al-Faqih, 60km (37 miles) inland from Hodeida, has a good craft market. Manakha, once a road station for the Ottoman Turks, is situated on a saddle of the Haraz Mountains. Traditional Ismaeli villages lie to the east. This area is exceptionally good for hiking.
The North
SA’DAH: The walled city of Sad’ah was once an iron mining and tanning centre and an important station along the Himyarite Sana’a–Mecca trade route. Later Sa’dah was chosen as the capital of the Zaydi state and became the centre of Zaydi learning. The al-Hadi Mosque is still an important institution for education in Zaydism. It is possible to walk along the top of the city walls, which afford good views of the city. The Najran Gate in the north is the most interesting of the gates, protected by an alleyway leading to the doors. The Great Mosque is the central building in the city. The market sells traditional stone necklaces and some fine silverware. The Sa’dah Fortress is the seat of the provincial government, thickly walled, and once the Imam’s residence. Outside the city is the Zaydi Graveyard, filled with some of the most beautiful gravestones in Yemen. The Sad’ah Basin is strikingly fertile, providing Yemen’s early crops of grapes, and is excellent for walking and hiking.
MAREB: Once the capital of the kingdom of Sheba, Mareb is now largely in a state of disrepair. Blocks of stone with Sabean writing bear testament to the history of the city. Southwest of Mareb is the ancient Mareb Dam, used thousands of years ago to irrigate the surrounding land. The dam fell into disuse around AD 570, after which large numbers of people emigrated northwards. The stonework is impressive, measuring 600m (1968ft) wide and 18m (60ft) deep.
ELSEWHERE: Between Sana’a and Sad’ah in the north lies the Wadi Wa’aar. The climate here is subtropical, and mangoes, papayas and bananas grow freely. Out of this rises the Shahara, a huge mountain massif, the highest point being nearly 3000m (9840ft) above sea level. This can be climbed by foot or by four-wheel-drive car; Shahara City offers overnight accommodation. Shahara Bridge, built in the 17th century, connects two mountains and can still be crossed by foot.
The Eastern Mountains (al-Mashrik) slope down from an altitude of 3000m to 1100m (9840ft to 3610ft). The landscape gradually turns to sand dunes where the population decreases; agriculture is concentrated around wadies.
Aden
The history of Aden as a port goes back a long way; it is mentioned in the Biblical Book of Ezekiel (c. sixth century BC). There is a collection of pre-Islamic artefacts in the National Museum of Antiquities near Tawahi Harbour. Crater, the oldest part of the city, lies in the crater of an extinct volcano and is where the most ancient constructions in Aden may be seen. These are the Aden Tanks, man-made reservoirs, partly cut out of the rock, with a storage capacity of 50,000,000 litres. When it rains, the upper basins fill up first and then overflow into the lower basins. Also in Crater may be found the Ethnographical Museum and the Military Museum. The 14th-century Mosque of Sayyid Abdullah al-Aidrus commemorates the patron saint of Aden. In Ma’allah, the visitor can see traditional Arab boats. To the south of Aden is Little Aden, also in the crater of an extinct volcano; this is an area of small fishing villages in sheltered bays, with several superb beaches fringing the Indian Ocean.
Sport & Activities
General: The Haraz Mountains and al-Mahwit are good trekking locations. Diving is increasingly popular in the Red and Arabian seas, as is sailing. Fishing is also a possibility.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Hotel restaurants serve both Western and Oriental dishes, particularly Indian and Chinese. There are a few independent restaurants serving international and Arab cuisine. Seafood is particularly recommended, as is haradha (a mincemeat and pepper dish). Also marag lahm (meat soup), hanid (lamb meat cooked in typical oven with spices) and kabsa (rice with lamb meat) should not be missed.
Alcohol is not generally available but may be served in hotels. It is illegal to buy alcohol for a Yemeni citizen. Tourists are advised to respect Muslim customs and traditions.
Nightlife: This is generally centred on the major hotels.
Shopping: Souks (markets) are interesting places to shop and buy handicrafts. Purchases include foutah (national costume), leather goods, jambia (daggers), candlesticks, scarves (woven with gold thread), amber beads, brightly coloured cushions and ceramics. Other items include gold- and silver-work, spice, perfume, bukhur incense with charcoal and pottery containers in which to burn it, coloured mats and sharks’ teeth. Shopping hours: Sun-Thurs 0800-1300 and 1600-2100.
Special Events: For details of special events and festivals held in Yemen, contact the General Authority of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section).
Social Conventions: Traditional values are still very much part of everyday life and visitors will be treated with traditional courtesies and hospitality. Many of the population work in agriculture, with several thousand dependent on fishing. The rest live and work in towns and there is a small nomadic minority living along the northern edges of the desert. Guns become more noticeable further north, slung over the shoulder and carried in addition to the traditional jambia. In towns, women are veiled with black or coloured cloth, while in the villages such customs are not observed. Yemenis commonly chew qat, a locally-grown shrub bearing shoots that have a stimulant effect, chewed in markets and cafes but more stylishly sitting on cushions in a guestroom or mafrai at the top of a multi-storeyed Yemeni house. For the visitor, conservative casual clothes are suitable; visiting businessmen are expected to wear suits. Men need to wear a jacket and tie for formal occasions and in smart dining rooms. Women are expected to dress modestly and beachwear and shorts should be confined to the beach or poolside. Smoking is forbidden during Ramadan. Foreigners are requested not to smoke or drink in public. Tipping: The practice of tipping is becoming more common. Waiters and taxi drivers should be tipped ten to 15 per cent.
Business Profile
Economy: Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, and among the principal motivations behind the unification of Yemen in 1990 was the prospect of economic transformation and expansion. However, a series of political developments served to undermine the plan and it is only since the late 1990s that the economy has started to show signs of improvement. Under IMF auspices, the government has implemented a programme of structural reforms involving privatisation and an overhaul of the financial system was implemented in exchange for financial support and, subsequently, a substantial reduction in Yemen’s large foreign debt. The economy is now growing at four six per cent, but inflation has taken off once again and is currently running at 16 per cent annually. Large-scale unemployment persists; an estimated 30 per cent of the workforce are out of work.
Agriculture is concentrated in the fertile northern part of the country. The principal cash crops are cereals, cotton, coffee, fruit, vegetables and qat (a narcotic leaf); sorghum, potatoes, wheat and barley are grown for local consumption. Livestock rearing and fishing, both of which occur throughout the country, are also important. The manufacturing industry is mainly involved in the production of construction materials, processed foods, tobacco, drinks and chemicals. The most important industrial activity, however, is oil and gas production. Yemeni reserves are modest by regional standards but, since the opening of the refining complex at Aden in 1994, the sector accounts for the majority of export earnings. Aden also hosts a newly established free-trade zone. Other mineral deposits, which are concentrated in the south, include copper, gold, lead, zinc and molybdenum.
Yemen’s main trading partners are the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Egypt and the USA
Business: Businesspeople are expected to dress smartly for meetings and formal social occasions. English is commonly used in business circles. Appointments are needed and visitors should be punctual. Visiting cards are often exchanged. Do not be surprised during a meeting if Yemeni businessmen chew qat. Office hours: Sat-Wed 0800-1500.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: General Investment Authority, PO Box 19022, Sana’a (tel: (1) 262 962/3; fax: (1) 262 964; e-mail: gias@y.net.ye or giasyemen@yahoo.com; website: www.giay.gov.ye).
Climate
The climate varies according to altitude. The coastal plain is hot and dusty throughout most of the year. The highlands are warm in summer and during winter, from October to March, nights can be very cold in the mountains. Annual rainfall is extremely low and temperatures, particularly in summer, are very high. The most pleasant time is from October to April.
Required clothing: Lightweight clothes are worn in the coastal plain all year. Warmer clothes are needed from November to April in the highlands.
History and Government
History: To the Romans, Yemen was Arabia Felix, whose mountains and fertile areas distinguished it from the barren desert of the rest of the Arabian peninsula. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Yemen came into the seventh century under the influence of Islam, which was then rapidly expanding throughout the region. It remained within the orbit of various regional powers until, in the 15th century, it became a flashpoint in the struggle between the Egyptians and the Ottoman Empire. Its strategic location subsequently attracted European powers and, during the early 17th and early 19th centuries, there was a constant struggle for control between the Europeans and the Ottomans.
The development of trade routes to India and the Far East eventually made protection of the Suez sea route an imperative for the British, who occupied the port of Aden in 1839, as a staging post and military base. The Yemeni hinterland was, for the most part, under the loose control of the Ottoman Empire throughout the 19th century, until 1918, when the Imam Yahya took power in what became the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR). Aden and its surroundings, meanwhile, were firmly established as a British colony. Yahya was assassinated in 1948 and his son Ahmed took over. From 1958-1961, the YAR was federated with Egypt and Syria in the United Arab States. Ahmed died in 1962 and an army coup led to civil war between Egypt-backed republicans and Saudi-backed royalists.
By this time, in the south, the British colonial forces faced armed opposition from both the leftist National Liberation Front (NLF) and the Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY). In November 1967, just before the formation of the Yemen Democratic People’s Republic in the south by the victorious NLF forces, a Republican government took control in the north. There was intermittent warfare between the two Yemens throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s and political instability in the north throughout the 1970s.
In 1978, Lieutenant-Colonel Ali Abdullah Saleh became Head of State. In 1983, he was unanimously re-elected by the People’s Assembly. Meanwhile, in 1978, Ali Nasser Muhammad became Head of State in the south. In January 1986, civil war between rival elements within the armed forces broke out after an attempted Politburo purge. A new government was formed under the former Construction Minister, Haydar Abu Bakr al-Attas. The long-promised merger of the two Yemens took place in 1990, with unexpected ease. Ali Abdullah Saleh became leader of the unified Republic of Yemen.
The newly created republic gave firm diplomatic support to Iraq during the 1990/91 Gulf crisis. This made little practical difference at the time but subsequently caused considerable problems for the Yemenis in their relations with Saudi Arabia. Multiparty elections in early 1993 were won by the principal northern-based party, the General People’s Congress (GPC), with the moderate Islamic party, Al-Islah, coming second and the southern-based Yemen Socialist party in third place. A government with representatives of all three parties took power.
A revolt by southerners unhappy with northern dominance took place in April but was quickly suppressed. In the wake of that, the YSP was marginalised as a political force. This has left Al-Islah, which is believed to have some backing from the Saudis, as the only serious opposition to the ruling GPC. In October 1994, President Saleh was re-elected to serve a second term and then, in September 1999, a third term. In April 1997, at the most recent election for the House of Representatives, the GPC took an overall majority with 187 seats; the remainder was roughly divided between Al-Islah and non-aligned candidates, with a handful taken by minority parties. The premiership is currently held by Abdul-Qadir Bagammal, who took office in 2001.
Yemen also has problems across the Red Sea, with the newly-independent republic of Eritrea – both claim the Hanish islands in the Red Sea, variously to develop as a tourist facility or as a platform for oil and gas exploration in the Red Sea. Drilling has begun with the acquiescence of both governments, although the territorial issue has yet to be fully settled.
The world’s attention was drawn to Yemen by an incident in 1999, in which Western tourists were kidnapped by an unidentified group; several died in the course of a rescue attempt launched by Yemeni security forces. Another serious incident took place in the autumn of 2000, when an attack on a visiting American warship claimed 17 lives. Under strong pressure, the Yemeni government has since moved to suppress al-Qaeda – which was responsible for the warship attack – and various affiliated home-grown organisations. This new collaboration between the Yemenis and the Americans was dramatically illustrated in late 2002, when a group of alleged al-Qaeda militants were killed in a missile attack by an American ‘drone’ (pilotless aircraft) in a remote area of the country. However, domestic sensitivities mean that Yemen is unlikely to back (at least, not in public) any American-led assault on Iraq in 2003.
Government: Executive power is held by the president who is directly elected for a five-year term and appoints a Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Legislative power is held by the 301-member Majlis al-Nuwaab (House of Representatives), which is also directly elected.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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