The Central Bank of Yemen decided to bring back food subsidies, benefiting from the latest Saudi deposit, and took other decisions following the return of its governor Mohammed Zemam to the temporary capital Aden. Observers expect the Central Bank’s decisions to cement confidence in banking circles and shore up the currency, besides dropping prices of basic commodities and reviving banking transactions. Yemeni official sources stated that the Central Bank’s board of directors took a number of decisions on Thursday as part of its role in activating its main base in Aden. The decisions followed a series of technical procedures and steps taken last month before the $2 billion Saudi deposit. The decisions included the return of subsidies for basic commodities such as wheat, rice, sugar, milk and oil. Zemam expressed confidence that the bank is capable of overcoming all obstacles thanks to the support of the political leadership and other countries backing Yemen’s political process. He expected the recent decisions to revive the bank’s role, including the subsidy of basic commodities. Zemam hoped that banks and citizens would cooperate with the Central Bank to guarantee its success in serving all Yemenis, without exceptions. He revealed a three-month plan to revive accounts, calling on commercial banks that have closed accounts to notify the Central Bank so that it contributes to overcoming obstacles and reopen them.