Murtaza Karanfil, chairperson of the Foreign Economic Relations Board’s (DEIK) Turkey-Libya Business Council, president of the Istanbul-based Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) and head of the Karanfil Group on Friday called on Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Libya and play more active roles.
Libya’s Government of National Unity has drawn praise, and there are positive developments in the local economy, he said in a press release published by Turkish Anadolu Agency.
“As Turkish businesspeople, we believe in Libya”, he said adding that bad impressions of Libya should be changed
“We invite other countries in the region and businesspeople to do business in Libya,” he said.
He underlined that Libya is open to cooperation in all fields of trade thanks to its location.
Libya is Africa’s gateway
Construction, energy, technology, cyber security, health, tourism are prominent sectors in the country, he added. He also said that Libya is Africa’s gateway to the world.
Economic diversification needed
Highlighting the fact that Libya’s only major source of income is oil, he said the country should diversify itself.
Libya must take the initiative
He also said Libya should take the first step for investments and projects, as it cannot expect foreigners to come and make investments or do business in the country.
There are idle funds in Libya, which has 74 billion barrels of oil and 174 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, he said, adding: “I believe that partnerships can be made very easily.”
Noting how Libya was once Europe’s third-largest oil supplier, he said the country still has economic relations with all African countries.
All sides agree that the African continent will be able to feed the entire world in 150-200 years, he stressed.
Currently, Libya is ready to provide all necessary energy to Europe, but it needs some work, he said.
Touching on the Turkish construction sector in Libya, he said Turkish contractors gained their first overseas experience in the country’s contracting sector.
After Turkish officials’ latest official visits, relations with Libya entered a more active period, he explained.
Turkey must develop a Libya-focused African initiative: MUSIAD’s Murtaza Karanfil (libyaherald.com)
Turkish independent business association, MUSIAD, opens Tripoli branch (libyaherald.com)
Turkish exports to Libya reach US$ 1.2 bn – up by 72.3 percent to June (libyaherald.com)
Turkey’s exports to Libya up 67 percent this year – could triple by year end | (libyaherald.com)
Turkish parliament passes bill to send troops to Libya (libyaherald.com)
Turkish contractors: an overview of negotiations on their return to Libya (libyaherald.com)
Libya reviews healthcare debts to Turkey (libyaherald.com)
Libya and Turkey set up committee to oversee return of Turkish companies (libyaherald.com)
Libya-Turkey $20 billion payments deal seems nearer (libyaherald.com)
