By Libya Herald reporters.
Benghazi/Tunis, 16 February 2017:
A visiting British business delegation has told one of Libya’s biggest oil companies, Benghazi-based Arabian Gulf Oil Company (AGOCO), that it can help it source materials and equipment as well as training. According to ACOCO, the delegation also said that it could help facilitate business visas to the UK.
The delegation, led by Peter Meyer of the London-based Middle East Association, was AGOCO’s headquarters in Benghazi yesterday as part of the first western commercial team to visit eastern Libya in over three years.
An AGOCO statement said the delegation had expressed its willingness to support the oil company as it sought to reenergise itself following Benghazi’s instability. Both sides looked at the safety of Benghazi as international businesses evaluate whether to return.
For his part, AGOCO chairman Mohamed Ben Shatwan, thanking the delegation for visiting, expressed the view that it would mark the beginning of cooperation between the groups and the oil company. His hope, he added, was that with new stability in eastern Libya, British companies would begin to return to Benghazi to invest in the region.
Among those in the delegation was Andrew Davidson of Parva Capital which raises finance for investment and Douglas Baldwin of Alpha Services which works with the oil and gas industry.
Also in Benghazi, Meyer and his the delgation saw Benghazi Security Directorate head Saleh Hweidi two days ago. They assessed the safety requirement in Benghazi, with a focus on the supply of police investigation needs such as DNA and fingerprinting equipment, forensic laboratories and training.
The delegation travelled to Egypt today and is expected to fly back to the UK tomorrow, Friday.
