Yemen: The local authority in Shabwa directs the prohibition of manufacturing and trading plastic bags to preserve the environment.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Sea - Follow-ups: The Governor of Shabwa Governorate, Head of the Local Council, Awadh Muhammad bin Al-Wazir, issued directives to the Industry and Trade Office, stipulating the prohibition of manufacturing, trading, using, marketing, and importing lightweight plastic bags made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), due to the serious damage they cause to the environment and society. These directives came within the framework of direct coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, following the strong concerns raised by the general managers of cleaning and improvement funds during the workshop organized by the Ministry of Local Administration in the interim capital, Aden, for the period (August 12-13), where the danger of these bags and the disfigurement of cities and widespread environmental pollution they cause were emphasized, in addition to the heavy burdens borne by cleaning funds in disposing of them. In his directives, Governor bin Al-Wazir stressed to all ports of entry, and all factories and plants operating in this field, the immediate adherence to the ban decision, to reduce the negative repercussions that pose a direct threat to both the consumer and the environment. The Director-General of the Industry and Trade Office in the governorate, Fahd Al-Kuwayli, confirmed that the office, in coordination with the branch of the Environmental Protection Authority in the governorate, and the branch of the Standards and Quality Authority, immediately began implementing the governor's directives through specialized field teams, in coordination with various relevant authorities, to ensure the practical and effective implementation of these decisions. In a related context, the Director-General of the Industry and Trade Office, accompanied by the Director-General of the Health and Population Office in the governorate, carried out a joint field visit to inspect and monitor drug prices. The visit resulted in the seizure of one pharmacy that violated procedures and manipulated prices, and the necessary legal measures were taken to close it.