Ukraine crisis impacts Yemen’s wheat imports, Prime Minister says‏‏

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik revealed that the Ukraine-Russian crisis has cast its shadows over Yemen’s wheat imports amid soaring oil rates. Abdulmalik stressed that the priority of his government during the coming period will be to consolidate stability and political consensus, warning that any political turmoil will greatly affect efforts to enhance security, stability, and recovery. “Exceptional efforts are being made to strengthen the recovery paths in Yemen, especially after the Riyadh Agreement, and many reforms have taken place, but the challenges that have now arisen with regard to the crisis of Ukraine and Russia, and its impact on wheat imports in Yemen, and the high prices of oil derivatives that affect transportation throughout the country,” said Abdulmalik. The premier’s remarks were made on the sidelines of the launch of a report assessing the effects of the conflict in Yemen. The event took place in Riyadh. “Everything that has been achieved during the last period is subjected to a lot of pressure,” said Abdulmalik, adding that “what is happening globally in terms of inflation and an increase in the prices of goods and transport has multiplied the challenges facing Yemen.” When asked by Asharq Al-Awsat about a much-anticipated grant and whether or not it will arrive before Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, Abdulmalik said: “We hope that this will be done, because it (the grant) will enhance the capabilities of the Central Bank to secure imports of basic commodities.” “What is important to us is the confirmed contracts for basic commodities,” he added. “Food security is what occupies most countries,” explained Abdulmalik.