In August of 2007, The Center for Global Strategies, along with South Carolina’s public and private sector, hosted a delegation from Yemen in a week long mission designed to explore potential business, educational, tourism, and other partnerships with South Carolina.

The Yemeni officials arrived on Thursday, August 16, before embarking on a trip that included stops in Laurens, Myrtle Beach, Florence, Hilton Head, Charleston, and Columbia, SC.

The Center for Global Strategies facilitated the week of events in order to strengthen the relationship that was previously established during a December, 2006 conference organized in Sana’a, Yemen by CGS. The Delegation’s stay in Columbia also served as a catalyst connecting the ten Delegates to some of the most vital sectors of South Carolina’s economy.

By introducing Yemeni public officials to individuals in the public and private sectors in South Carolina – and by helping to shape partnerships in government, industry, and trade – CGS believes a prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship was further developed and nurtured during the Delegation’s stay in South Carolina.

The week of scheduled events included:

• A meeting with SC Governor Mark Sanford
• A meeting with SC Congressman Joe Wilson
• A meeting with Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, which included the signing of an Economic Development agreement between Columbia, SC and Sana’a, Yemen
• A meeting with SC State Superintendent of Education Dr. Jim Rex
• A visit to the Wal-Mart distribution center in Laurens
• A tour of the Grand Strand, including a briefing by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce
• A stay on Hilton Head Island which included discussions and tours related to Middle East interests in South Carolina’s tourism sector with the Executive Committee of the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce
• Events with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce; Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce; Charleston Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce; the SC Department of Commerce; the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business; BB&T; Nexsen Pruet Law Firm; NTS Fiber Investment Partners/ YRT2 and Palmetto Health Baptist
• An afternoon hosted by Governor David M. Beasley, The Center for Global Strategies’ Board Chairman
• A presentation by members of the Delegation to the Midlands International Trade Association
• South Carolina State Ports Authority meeting with Mr. Bernard Groseclose, President and CEO, and a tour of the Port of Charleston
• Briefings concerning SC’s judicial system by current and retired Judges and a Supreme Court Justice

There are several business and exchange possibilities resulting from the trip. CGS is discussing sending USC Moore School of Business students to Yemen, as well as accepting Yemeni students in South Carolina.

We are hopeful that business agreements will be entered into between the Delegates and South Carolinians, and that student exchanges will become a reality. We are also looking for ways that the Agreement signed between Columbia and Sana’a will result in positive steps by each city, and that relationships between Yemen, South Carolina, and the US will deepen and grow stronger.