By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, April 4: First Councilor at the French Embassy in Libya Hedi Picquart formally opened the French pavilion representing over . . .[restrict]50 French companies yesterday at the 40th Tripoli International Fair which runs from April 2-12.
‘This represents our first participation since Libya’s liberation,” Picard announced. “We look forward to constructive co-operation in the various sectors represented here today. The French pavilion is the biggest in the fair which was visited by Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim Al-Kib yesterday. French companies are ready to put their great expertise at the disposal of Libya,” said Picquart.
‘I am confident they can help Libya in its re-building and we hope that these efforts will be converted into an elected government and better security conditions, Mr Picard concluded.
Speaking for the Libyan Businessmen Council, one of the now numerous bodies representing the Libyan private business community , its head Abdallah Falah thanked the French exhibitors for their presence of. ‘The Libyan businessmen were the force behind the occurrence of this event to show that Libya is back to normal. It is partially to help Libya recover psychologically from a year of war.”
Falah also thanked the Fair Authority for being able to organise a fair in such a short period of preparation time. “No matter how much I thank France, I will not do it justice. If it were not for God then France, there would be no fair and there would be no Benghazi either. We put our hands out to French Businesses. France is the biggest single exhibitor here today and we will be a loyal friend to France for its support. I thank France, its people, its president and its government,” he emphatically concluded.
“Libyans should be proud of what they have achieved so far,” Michel Casals, President of the Libyan French Chamber of Commerce said in his remark. ‘The large presence of French companies here today proves the strong relationship between the two nations. This strong relationship built in 2011 will have long term duration. The presence of many foreign exhibitors here encourages us to be more competitive,” he reflected.
Idris Abdallah, head of the Libyan General Union of Chambers of Commerce felt that ‘the French effort to stop genocide in Libya from occurring has had a positive psychological affect on Libyans towards French products’.
Igor Chlapak, Commercial Councilor at the French Embassy wrapped up the formalities saying that French “participation and large presence here reflects the confidence in the success of the Libyan Revolution. People are asking about our large presence here today. Firstly, this fair is strategically important for France and secondly it is an opportunity for French companies to enter the Libyan market”.
A selection of French cheese and olives was offered to visitors of the French pavilion to conclude the occasion.
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