A team from the NDC’s Development Working Group met with Aden Chamber of Commerce Chairman Muhammad Bamashmous and local businessmen in Aden governorate on Tuesday.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting were challenges facing businessmen and ways in which citizens can actively participate in Yemen’s development process.

Bamashmous briefed the NDC team on the activities of the Aden Chamber of Commerce – the first such institution in the Middle East – and spoke about the impact of nearby conflicts on Yemeni businessmen.

He demanded increased development of the Aden Free Trade Zone and Aden Port as part of efforts to diversify income levels and boost the national economy, which is currently largely reliant on oil revenues.

At the meeting, a number of businessmen drew attention to legislation and procedures which serve to negatively affect businesses, while also urging the NDC members to address legislative obstacles in order to improve Yemen’s investment climate.