Saudi Arabia Extends 2018 Deposit at Yemen Central Bank, Pays Final Installment

A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Extends 2018 Deposit at Yemen Central Bank, Pays Final Installment

A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)
A view of the coastal area of Aden, Yemen September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia on Monday extended a deposit it gave the central bank of Yemen's legitimate government in 2018, and agreed to pay the final installment of the promised $2 billion, the central bank and Saudi ambassador to Yemen said.

The Saudi finance ministry said the 2018 deposit duration would be extended and this would support Yemen's currency and economic situation.

The central bank, now based in Aden which is the interim headquarters of Yemen's government, said the final installment which would be paid amounted to $174 million.

Saudi Arabia last month said it would arrange a new support package of $3 billion for Yemen's economy: $2 billion from Riyadh and another $1 billion from the United Arab Emirates, also part of the coalition.

Riyadh's ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jaber said on Twitter governance and technical discussions were taking place about a new $2 billion deposit that would come from the UAE and Saudi money.

The conflict has caused a serious devaluation of Yemen's currency and a shortage of foreign reserves, and has created what that United Nations calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis.



UAE Commits to $1.4 Trillion Investments in the US

Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
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UAE Commits to $1.4 Trillion Investments in the US

Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)

Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Thursday announced a plan to invest $1.4 trillion in the United States over the next ten years, in several sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and energy.

Speaking alongside US President Donald Trump at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed underscored what he called a “strong partnership” with Washington that has flourished under Trump.

The UAE is the third and last stop of Trump's Gulf tour, following Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Trump is only the second US president to visit the Emirates since George W. Bush first visited the country back in 2008.

On Thursday, the Emirati President said his country is determined to continue strengthening friendship with the US for the benefit of both nations and their peoples while working together in support of peace and stability regionally and globally.

“The UAE's plan to invest $1.4 trillion in the United States over the next 10 years is a testament to the strength of our strategic relationship,” he said.

Trump described Sheikh Mohamed as a long-time friend and a highly respected leader. “I have to say that we've been friends for a long time,” the US President said.

“You are a great warrior. A very strong man, brilliant man, a man with vision like few others,” Trump said.

On UAE’s $1.4 trillion US investment pledge, Trump said: “Thank you very much. We will work very hard to deserve it.”

Sheikh Mohamed also discussed with Trump prospects for cooperation and opportunities to expand their scope, particularly in investment, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, industry, and other areas that support future prosperity.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed a number of regional and international topics of shared interest, focusing on developments in the Middle East, particularly efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and contain escalation that threatens the region’s security and stability.

They emphasized that both countries share a strong friendship and strategic partnership built on solid foundations of mutual trust, respect, and shared interests, in addition to a long history of cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and other fields.

Sheikh Mohamed underscored the UAE’s commitment to further strengthen its cooperation with the US in light of their shared views on working to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East and globally, and building an effective international position to address shared global challenges.

This, he said, reflects the UAE’s consistent approach of supporting peace, stability, and development regionally and globally through collective multilateral action.

The two sides stressed their keenness to continue strengthening their strategic cooperation, in line with the shared commitment of their leaderships to further develop bilateral relations in a way that serves mutual interests.

The Emirati and US presidents then witnessed the announcement of a 1-gigawatt artificial intelligence data center, which is part of a joint AI complex between both countries.

Sheikh Mohamed awarded the Order of Zayed - the UAE’s highest civilian honor granted to heads of state - to Trump in recognition of his efforts to enhance cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.