O, WMO, WToO, WTrO
(applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahhab Abdallah al-HAJRI
chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760
FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara K. BODINE
embassy: Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa
mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa
telephone: [967] (1) 238843 through 238852
FAX: [967] (1) 251563

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and black; similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and
of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a
horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag
of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band

@Yemen:Economy

Economy-overview: The northern city Sanaa is the political capital of
a united Yemen, and the southern city Aden, with its refinery and port
facilities, is the economic and commercial capital. Future economic
development depends heavily on the attraction of foreign investment to
diversify the economy. Former South Yemen's willingness to merge
stemmed partly from the sharp decline in Soviet economic support. The
low level of domestic industry and agriculture has made northern Yemen
dependent on imports for practically all of its essential needs. Once
self-sufficient in food production, northern Yemen has become a major
importer. Land once used for export crops-cotton, fruit, and
vegetables - has been turned over to growing a shrub called qat, whose
leaves are chewed for their stimulant effect by Yemenis and which has
no significant export market. Economic growth in former South Yemen
has been constrained by a lack of incentives, partly stemming from
centralized control over production decisions, investment allocation,
and import choices. Yemen's GDP has been supplemented by remittances
from Yemenis working abroad and by foreign aid. Since the Gulf crisis,
however, remittances have dropped substantially. Floods in June 1996
caused the loss of much valuable topsoil in the agricultural sector,
increasing the need for imports of foodstuffs. Oil production and GDP
as a whole are expected to increase moderately in 1998.

GDP: purchasing power parity-$31.8 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate: 5% (1997 est.)

GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,300 (1997 est.)