By Naom Alkhosi.
Tripoli, 9 April 2014:
Longstanding plans to set up a free zone in Benghazi . . .[restrict]have taken a major step forward with the first meeting of its administrative committee.
The meeting looked at the structures of administrating Benghazi’s Meresa Free Zone, including the functions of the general manager and officials and the role of various sub-committees.
The setting up of a technical and economic advisory committee and the appointment of international consultants to draw up the zone’s infrastructural and technical specifications, were also agreed.
It is almost exactly two years since the post-revolution authorities agreed that the free zone should go ahead. Since then a committee to establish it has been working on the general concept. It has now been wound up, with the administrative committee taking over.
Covering some 1,200 hectares in Gunfudah, the zone will include areas for shipping, industry, storage and services as well as a “smart city” district covering education and training, the media and IT companies. There will also be an area for international banks plus hotels and a conference and exhibition centre.
At the Saturday meeting, the administrative committee further agreed to set up a technical and economic advisory sub-committee and to appoint international consultants to draw up the zone’s infrastructural and technical specifications.
The Meresa Free Zone is one of eleven major projects currently active in the city of Benghazi, the Benghazi Economic Capital movement reports. Other projects slowly progressing, many slated for completion by 2017, include the Corinthia hotel, the Tatweer towers, the Ouzu hotel refurbishment project, and the Benina Airport temporary passenger terminal. [/restrict]
