Yemeni Minister: $28 Billion Needed for Short-Term Reconstruction Plans

Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Najib al-Auj
Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Najib al-Auj
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Yemeni Minister: $28 Billion Needed for Short-Term Reconstruction Plans

Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Najib al-Auj
Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Najib al-Auj

Yemen's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Najib al-Auj, said that the war-torn country needs a baseline $28-billion-dollar fund for reconstruction efforts over the next four years.

In the long term, Yemen’s reconstruction could run a bill as large as $60 billion for post-war restoration of institutions, stability and security.

Revamping the country’s ailing health, education and power sectors and rehabilitating city infrastructure figure high on the government’s agenda, Auj told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying the state will work to fix the general budget deficit.

Yemen’s government, for the first time in four years, had announced the budget and had it ratified by the Yemeni parliament.

“The challenge is to implement the 2019 budget. Many projects have been faltering. And state institutions are affected by the war and need to be rebuilt,” Auj noted, explaining that tremendous efforts need to be poured to get the country’s security sector back on its feet and have reconstruction processes rebooted.

The minister also pointed out that government reconstruction data indicates that the country needs an estimated $28 billion in the short term and around $60 billion over the long term.

“So far there are no field surveys or precise studies that can give a certain figure-- but as a starting point, signs show a need for a minimum of $28 billion in the short term—which runs from two and four years. After that, Yemen will need a full-fledged reconstruction which could cost as much as $60 billion in the long term.”

As for restoring the war-torn country’s international ties, Auj said that he had met with representatives from 24 international bodies and states, among which were the EU, New Zealand and Canada.

“Today, there are more than 80 European organizations that have opened offices in the interim capital, Aden. Earlier talk with the EU for reopening its bureaus in Aden are ongoing. They are studying this request and they promised to deliver our messages to decision makers,” Auj revealed.

Giving details about his meeting with Western officials, Auj confirmed relaying the importance of supporting projects related to farmers and fishermen, which represent the largest segment of the Yemeni population.

Aiding Yemen’s agricultural and farming sectors will help create jobs and give public-private sector relations a badly needed boost.



Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is being seen as a milestone, with its primary focus on economics, investment, and strategic deal-making.

Accompanying him is an unprecedented delegation of US business leaders and CEOs from major sectors including finance, banking, cryptocurrency, technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. These leaders are seeking to open new investment horizons, forge partnerships, and follow Trump’s lead in crafting “win-win” deals that strengthen bilateral commercial ties.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council, said that Trump’s choice of Saudi Arabia as his first international destination signals the beginning of a new era in relations between the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and the broader Middle East.

“Beyond the warm welcome and political discussions, this visit will feature the announcement of new business deals and a celebration of the success of previous agreements,” he said. “More importantly, it marks the start of a deeper phase of economic cooperation and private-sector engagement between the two countries. The agreements set to be signed will significantly strengthen these ties and open doors to diverse investment opportunities.”

Driving Business Forward

Hallab, who is also the founder of Barrington Global, explained that the Saudi-US Business Council is playing an active role in this visit. “Our members and partners are fully engaged in the Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. There is considerable anticipation surrounding the major deals to be announced, and I can confirm that several significant agreements and new bilateral initiatives will be unveiled,” he said.

He added that interest spans numerous sectors—from defense, aerospace, and technology to newer areas like education, tourism, culture, and quality of life.

He said: “American business leaders are enthusiastic about forming partnerships with Saudi counterparts. President Trump is also keen to attract nearly $1 trillion in Saudi investments to the United States. This mutual interest shows that both sides are committed not only to commercial exchange but to meaningful, strategic collaboration.”

Hallab noted that this year’s investment forum stands out from those held in the past. “There is a new energy—an unprecedented focus on investments that align with the long-term economic goals of both nations. It’s no longer about short-term returns. Investments are being evaluated based on their broader impact, sustainability, and alignment with national visions such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

He explained that Saudi investors are looking for opportunities in the US that make sense within this broader strategy—not just financial gains, but partnerships that advance their long-term objectives. “I’m very optimistic. The pieces are falling into place in a way that serves both countries’ goals, which is exactly what we at the Business Council aim to promote—mutual benefit and shared growth.”

The Political Dimension

When asked about the role of politics, including negotiations with Iran and potential ceasefires in Gaza, Hallab acknowledged their influence. “We closely monitor political developments as they inevitably impact business decisions. But Trump’s visit highlights Saudi Arabia’s rising global stature, both economically and diplomatically.”

He praised the remarkable progress of Vision 2030, especially in terms of regulatory reform, anti-corruption efforts, and economic diversification, saying: “Having worked in the region for nearly 30 years, I’ve never seen changes of this scale and speed. Today, unemployment is under 7%, women make up 34% of the workforce, and over half of Saudi GDP comes from the non-oil sector. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a dynamic, diversified economy and a global tourism destination.”

Hallab concluded: “We at the Saudi-US Business Council are proud to contribute to this transformation and are committed to deepening our shared economic future.”