Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mujawar welcomed Japanese investors, companies and funding institutions, coming to invest in Yemen and promote Yemeni-Japanese economic partnership, according to Saba. In the opening of joint Yemeni-Japanese workshop on investment and trade that started its activities here on Sunday, Mujawar expressed Yemeni deep heartiness to Japanese people" Despite old trade relations between Yemen and Japan, we see that cooperation in investment field still under the level we all seek for". Mujawar said that holding this workshop represents important step in setting up joint investments embodying keenness of the two countries on expanding fruitful cooperation and an indication concerns in investment in Yemen. For his part, Yemeni Minister of Industry and Trade Yahya al-Mutawakel reviewed economic situation, trade and industry policies in Yemen, noting Yemen's seeking to expand non-oil exports, supporting exports capabilities in foreign markets and accelerating Yemen's joining to World Trade Organization during 2008. Japanese ambassador to Yemen Masakazu Toshikage stated that this workshop is a chance to Japanese businessmen for acquainting themselves with Yemeni government's efforts it has exerted for developing investment environment and investment opportunities in different fields. He called on Japanese businessmen to see investment opportunities in Yemen for there are many attractive elements in the country as well as its strategic location that provides opportunities in trade and industry.
