Yemen’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaia Al Zindani said Saudi Arabia’s new economic assistance to cover public sector salaries and help reduce the budget deficit reflects the deep-rooted relationship between the two countries and underlines Riyadh’s continued commitment to supporting the Yemeni people in all situations.
The Saudi Arabian Development and Recovery Plan for Yemen announced on Thursday new budget support of approximately $347 million (SAR 1.3 billion) to raise operating costs, pay salaries and respond to the Yemeni government’s urgent needs, as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote stability and growth.
In his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Zindani said the funds will strengthen the government’s performance, allowing it to push forward with economic reforms, meet salary obligations, provide basic services and improve living conditions.
He said that, together with previous assistance, this assistance reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s firm support for Yemen, strengthens the country’s ability to fulfill its commitments to civil servants, eases humanitarian pressures, and strengthens economic stability.
Zindani said the move reflects the vision of the Saudi leadership and the kingdom’s commitment to security and stability in Yemen, saying the country is of strategic depth and a key pillar of regional security.
He also highlighted the role of Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman and the program’s efforts to promote stability and development.
In a post on his official X account, Prince Khalid said that the support was provided in response to the urgent need to support the payment of salaries to the Yemeni government and to implement the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Rashad Al Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, said the aid sent an “important message of confidence” in the path to recovery and the new government’s ability to work closely with “a loyal team of brothers led by Prince Khalid bin Salman” to rebuild state institutions, strengthen security and stability, and achieve the desired changes.
He added that this support confirms that the partnership with Saudi Arabia is “not a situational one, but a strategic choice for a bright future.”
According to the program, the funds are aimed at strengthening economic and fiscal stability, reducing the budget deficit, ensuring the government’s regular flow of funds and salary payments, improving fiscal management, putting the national economy on a more sustainable path, and promoting economic and social development.
This support is expected to increase purchasing power, stabilize household incomes, improve living standards and stimulate commercial markets, contributing to economic stability and a sustainable recovery.
Saudi Arabia continues to be Yemen’s largest historical donor in the humanitarian, development, and economic fields. According to the program, Saudi Arabia’s total economic development assistance from 2012 to 2026 will exceed $12.6 billion, making interventions a key pillar of recovery at both the macro and micro levels.
Since its establishment in 2018 by order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the authority of the Crown Prince, the program has contributed to anchoring sustainable development, reducing humanitarian and economic impacts, and promoting inclusive development that benefits current and future generations.
The program announced that it has implemented 268 development projects and initiatives across eight key sectors with a total cost of more than $1 billion to improve infrastructure and basic services, strengthen food security, build capacity and create jobs in Yemen in support of efforts to achieve lasting peace and inclusive and sustainable development.
