Aden (South24 Center)

The Yemeni government on Sunday, 23 November, advanced a series of measures to broaden ongoing economic and fiscal reforms, as internal and international pressure mounts to recalibrate the revenue system and unify the state’s financial channels.

During a meeting in the capital, Aden, chaired by Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Rashad al-Alimi, officials announced directives to conduct a comprehensive inventory of state property- including land, real estate, and leased assets-and to convert these holdings into tangible resources to boost revenues and curb the unlawful exploitation of public assets. The PLC also ordered the establishment of a National Relief Authority to organize humanitarian efforts and consolidate authority across government bodies.

Al-Alimi said the measures under way include adjusting the customs dollar rate as part of a broader package aimed at recalibrating public finances and strengthening the government’s capacity to manage revenues amid declining external support and a complex economic situation.

In remarks during the meeting, Prime Minister Salem bin Brik said the reforms “will be implemented in full without selectivity,” stressing that the relationship between the government and the PLC is one of “institutional complementarity with no overlap.” He added that public revenues “are a sovereign right of the state” and must not be handled outside the official financial system.

A Cabinet statement said bin Brik ordered the launch of comprehensive reforms across ministries and agencies, the activation of the job rotation law, the enforcement of accounting principles, and the expedited nomination of new leadership for revenue funds based on standards of competence and integrity. Directives were also issued to limit official foreign travel to the absolute minimum.

During the session, the government approved the public-private partnership policy document and decided to form a ministerial committee to oversee its implementation. It also approved a draft decision to establish a Health Fund to improve the efficiency of the health sector and ensure its financial sustainability.

These steps come as Reuters, citing informed sources, reported that the Quartet concerned with the Yemeni file-the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates-recently discussed options for addressing the faltering implementation of economic reforms, including possible measures against local officials who fail to transfer revenues to the Central Bank in Aden.

No official announcement has been issued on those discussions, but the leak underscores the sensitivity of the moment and growing donor demands for tangible progress on fiscal reform.

Last October, the PLC adopted a package of financial and administrative reforms that included unifying financial channels, requiring governorates and government entities to remit sovereign revenues to the Central Bank in Aden, strengthening oversight at entry points, and modernizing revenue-collection systems to prevent illicit outflows of public funds.

These measures come against the backdrop of a service and economic crisis affecting areas controlled by parties aligned with the PLC, particularly in South Yemen.