Sanaa: The Ministry of Finance and the Tax and Customs Authority held a press conference on Wednesday to review the losses incurred by the public finance sector during 11 years of the US-Saudi aggression and blockade, which amounted to 426.49 trillion riyals.
According to Yemen News Agency, the press conference, held on the occasion of the National Day of Resilience, featured Jamil Al-Du'ais, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance for Financial and Administrative Affairs. He emphasized the Ministry's commitment to presenting preliminary estimates of the material losses suffered by the public finance sector, as well as the human losses, and estimates of the public treasury resources that the state budget has been deprived of.
Al-Du'ais expressed the Ministry of Finance leadership's appreciation to media institutions and outlets for conveying the true picture of the losses and damages suffered by the public finance sector as a result of the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression. He commended the media's role in exposing the crimes and violations of the aggression coalition during the 11 years of aggression and blockade against Yemen. He also highlighted the media as a key partner in conveying information and messages with honesty and responsibility.
Mohammed Mansour, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information for External Relations and Media, explained that the media's role extends beyond broadcasting conferences. He emphasized the importance of media institutions partnering with state entities to accurately depict events. Mansour noted that Yemen has faced extensive aggression, focusing on the economic and financial sectors, yet the Yemeni people have managed to endure this ordeal.
Mansour stated, "Yemen's performance has become inspiring, even on the administrative and economic levels. How can you manage a country without resources?" He pointed out the significant suffering endured, but also the shattering of illusions held by the aggression coalition. He assured the Yemeni people that the siege is nearing its end, emphasizing Yemen's involvement in the axis of resistance and support for Gaza.
Ahmed Hajar, Deputy Minister of Finance for Planning and Statistics, revealed the expected financial losses to the public finance sector, amounting to 426.49 trillion riyals. He highlighted the government's outstanding obligations due to the decline in revenues caused by the Saudi-led aggression, totaling $30.581 billion.
Deputy Hajar detailed the destruction of 49 buildings and facilities of the financial sector, costing nearly five billion riyals, as part of a systematic campaign by the aggression coalition. The statement confirmed the martyrdom of 32 Ministry of Finance employees and 70 Tax Authority employees, alongside significant material losses for the Tax and Customs Authorities, including the destruction of 24 buildings costing over six billion riyals.
The statement reflected the scale of the economic catastrophe caused by the aggression and blockade, with far-reaching repercussions on state institutions and the national economy amidst ongoing financial and humanitarian challenges.