U.S. envoy to Yemen, Yemeni businessmen seek American investors

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein urged American businessmen to invest in the poorest Arab country assuring them that Al Qaeda-linked militants will not be a threat.

Feierstein , who is accompanying a delegation of Yemen-based business leaders to the U.S. to meet American investors in five cities, told CBS News on Tuesday that Yemen “has the potential for a vibrant energy industry.”

The ambassador said 85 percent of the country plus its offshore area is yet to be explored by oil companies.

A trade opportunity is also being explored for Yemeni coffee.

Feierstein said U.S. investments could promote stability in the country of 24 million who are mostly poor.

The business delegation’s U.S. itinerary include Washington, D.C., New York City, Kansas City, Houston and San Francisco.

The sales pitch is expected to be tough as Yemen is beset by security problems, particularly terrorism. But the U.S. military is supporting Yemen’s counter-terrorism efforts with drones used to fire missiles on militants and their camps.

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