25 March 2010
Under the auspices of HE the Minister of Oil and Minerals Amir Salem Al-Aidaroos, Yemen LNG launched on Thursday, 25 March 2010 a scholarship program for undergraduate and postgraduate students. 20 scholarships are available for the year 2010 to both male and female students from all regions of Yemen to study in Paris and other French cities, in French or English languages.

In the launch ceremony, General Manager of Yemen LNG, Francois Rafin, noted that "it is a fantastic opportunity for the Yemeni students to obtain a world class diploma and to gain knowledge of the French culture and civilization, one of the most ancient and modern in the world."

As the largest industrial company in Yemen, Yemen LNG actively participates in building the future of the nation.

The event was attended by H.E. Minister of Oil and Minerals, H.E. ambassador of France to Yemen, Mr. Joseph Silva, a number of the Board members and other government officials and representatives of the media.

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Speech by Francois Rafin,
General Manager,
Yemen LNG Company


Your Excellency the Minister of Oil and Minerals, Ambassador of France, Members of the Board, Representatives of the media.

On behalf of the Yemen LNG company I am pleased and honored to welcome you to announce the Yemen LNG scholarship program.

20 scholarships will be offered to Yemeni students, male and female, from all regions of Yemen, to study in France.

10 scholarships are reserved for postgraduate and another 10 for undergraduate.

High level universtity programs in French or in English language are available in a broad domain of sciences and technologies, law, accounting and business management, health, agriculture and tourism.

The Yemen LNG scholarships cover the full cost of travelling to France, living and studying there.

It is a fantastic opportunity for the Yemeni students to obtain a world class diploma and to gain knowledge of the French culture and civilization, one of the most ancient and modern in the world.

The Yemen LNG scholarship program is strongly supported by the board of directors of Yemen LNG, represented here today, and by the Yemeni and French government.

Under such auspices no doubt that it will build momentum and grow and deliver excellent results for many years to come.

It has taken 15 years for Yemen to build a world class LNG Company with Yemeni, French, American and Korean shareholders. TOTAL, HUNT, YGC, SK Energy, KOGA, Hyundai and GASSP.

Yemen LNG has invested 4.5 billion dollars in the country, attracting 2.8 billion dollars of foreign loads. More than 100 million manhours have bee n worked in the country, especially in Mareb and Shabwa, and more than 10,000 direct jobs have been created.

Now Yemen LNG delivers LNG to Mexico, the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, India, Korea and China.

Yemen has made its entry in the exclusive club of LNG exporters and has rapidly gained a first rank reputation on the world market.

Soon, the second train of liquefaction will start commercial production at Balhaf, well ahead of schedule, and the sales volume will double.

Long term revenues shall now be secured with LNG sales for 25 years. Our contribution to the budget of the nation is very important. This creates for Yemen LNG high obligations. We are fully committed to deliver.

LNG is a clean energy of the future and the LNG market has solid perspectives of growth. With Yemen LNG, the country is in strong position to valorize future gas discoveries.
Being part of the future of Yemen, Yemen LNG is specially committed to contributing to the education. The scholarships in France constitute one element of this policy. The development of the schools in the regions also contribute to this policy and we will inaugurate two schools built by Yemen LNG in Shabwa this coming Sunday. The Yemen LNG training center at Balhaf, a world class LNG academy, is also part of this effort and we have ongoing a visit of the Institut Francais du Petrole to define further cooperation to enhance our training center.

Indeed there is a bright future for Yemen.

I would like to end this speech by expressing our sincere thanks to all present today.

Thank you.