YEMEN: MEPI FY 2003 FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS

UNCLAS SANAA 002917 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMPI KPAO EAID ECON PREL YM DEMOCRATIC REFORM ECON COM SUBJECT: YEMEN: MEPI FY 2003 FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS REF: A. SECSTATE 337476 ¶B. SANAA 1599 ¶1. (u) Post warmly welcomes the MEPI FY 03 funding recommendations (ref a) and is pleased that Yemen is strongly represented across the pillars. At the same time, Post would appreciate being considered for the following programs: Economic Pillar: Post requests that Yemen be considered for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development as part of the Middle East Finance Corporation. Because SMEs constitute 96 percent of the private sector in Yemen, their development is vital to the continued growth of the country's economy (ref b). Education Pillar: Post requests that Yemen be included in the "Partnership Schools" program. Reftel b explains the inadequacies of Yemen's educational system. In sum: Yemen's schools are ill-suited to meet the needs of a growing population and developing economy: teachers are poorly trained, qualified English language instructors are rare, and technology is not yet used in most classrooms. Women's Pillar: Post welcomes MEPI strategic thinking on women's issues and believes Yemen will be fertile ground for continued focus on women's development. ¶2. (u) Comment: MEPI funding in Yemen has been successful in strengthening democratic processes and will soon bring internet connectivity to ten schools and increase women's literacy. Post looks forward to the development opportunities the FY 03 allocations will bring. End Comment. HULL