On 10-13 June 2024, the OECD organised consultation meetings in Amman, Jordan. Consultations aimed to establish Public-Private Dialogue (PPD), focusing on investment and trade facilitation. The PPD event brought together key private sector stakeholders in Yemen, including representatives from chambers of commerce, business associations and companies, with the dedicated OECD team working on the EU-funded Project on Promoting Economic Resilience in Yemen.

The primary aim of these meetings is to engage selected key public and private sector representatives in Yemen to exchange on modalities for promoting investments in key economic sectors, as well as enhancing the reintegration of Yemen in global markets. The meetings, designed as a dialogue, sought to offer a platform in the framework of a PPD mechanism in Yemen.

The sessions explored the potential of renewable energy in the MENA region and in Yemen as a viable alternative in the energy mix whilst highlighting the most pressing challenges facing the country’s electricity generation capacity and connectivity. They also addressed the potential for enhancing private sector engagement in the energy transition, particularly in transitioning from fossil fuel-based to solar power-based electricity generation.

Additionally, the meetings brought forward insights and recommendations on financing mechanisms such as blended finance to de-risk investments and operations in fragile contexts. The sessions explored concrete steps and guidelines to establish coordinated collective actions between the public and private sectors, as well as the donor community.

Important remarks given by officials from both the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Finance, the central bank, the Ministry of Planning and international cooperation. They expressed the most pressing challenges in the Energy Sector: these were related to supply and distribution, but also financing and pricing. Additionally, they highlighted that each region has specific needs when it comes to electricity and renewable energy, which might require looking at other types of renewable energies instead of only solar.

In response, representatives from the private sector, such as the Aden Chamber of Commerce, the SMEPS and the Yemeni Institute of Directors stressed the need to reexamine the existing PPP Law and actualize it. They further explained that the private sector is proposing solutions, working on communication and promoting projects. They are also involved in training experts to manage projects, creating partnerships, providing financing and loan opportunities and establishing long-term plans.

The meeting also included a presentation from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on the IRG’s development priorities. This was delivered considering the government’s work on the implementation of the SDGs and their recent voluntary progress report.