http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Yemen and Japan hold trade cooperation talks [The Source: TOKYO/hadhramaut.info/sabanews.net - 02/11/2010] Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi has discussed with President of Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East Mr Iwao Okamoto the trade cooperation aspects between Yemen and Japan. Al-Qirbi also reviewed with Senior Vice President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr. Kenzo Oshima ways to expand cooperation between the two countries and to support Yemen in the fields of basic education, health and rural water.Appreciating all Japanese efforts in Yemen, al Qirbi requested JICA to reconsider resuming soft loans to enable Yemen to finance strategic projects, particularly in areas such as renewable energy and water desalination.Moreover, he discussed with Yasuo Hayashi, Chairman, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), ways of promoting direct Japanese investments in Yemen in the fields of gas, energy and minerals as well as fisheries.