Libya’s Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwej, inaugurated the first Exhibition of Agents of Italian Industries at the Tripoli International Fairgrounds yesterday. The event will last until the 26 of January.
More than 35 leading Italian companies participated in the event in the fields of contracting, real estate investment, implementation of stadiums and gymnasiums, laboratories and medical laboratories equipment, major Italian factories specialized in the manufacture of building and sanitary materials, food products, medical devices and equipment, machinery, agricultural supplies, electrical and household appliances, and home and office furniture.
The opening took place in the presence of the head of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Mohamed Raied, the Mayor of the Municipality of Tripoli Centre, Ibrahim Al-Khulaifi, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan Italian Chamber from the Libyan side, Anwar Abu Sitta, the Executive Director of the Libyan Industry Union (LIU), Ali Nuseer, the Director General of the Misrata Free Zone, Ayman Al-Darwish, the Italian Commercial Attaché, the Turkish Commercial Attaché and a number of business owners, companies and agents participating in the exhibition.
In his speech, Minister of Economy and Trade Hwej stressed the importance of holding specialized exhibitions for agents (distributors) of foreign companies from all countries of the world in Libya.
Contributor to the development and diversification of the national economy
The Minister considered the event a good contribution to the development of Libyan-Italian commercial relations, and therefore it received the support of the Ministry to enhance the role of such activities and economic events in transferring knowledge and exchanging experiences with industrialized countries and their contribution to the development and diversification of the national economy.
Diversification programme to localise national industry
The Minister affirmed that Libya is advancing in cooperation with the private sector and international participation. He also noted, without giving any details, that the Ministry has developed a programme to diversify the national economy in cooperation with the Central Bank of Libya, the Ministry of Finance and the competent authorities to localize the national industry.
Organisation of agencies and trademarks
He also stressed that the Ministry of Economy and Trade has initiated the process of organizing agencies and trademarks, again without revealing any details, and urged the owners of agencies to open production lines in Libya to advance the industry.
Italy a strategic partner for Libya
For his part, the head of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mohamed Raied (who is a leading Libyan industrialist), believed that holding this exhibition at this time confirms the return of activity to the Libyan economy and the high rates of trade exchange between Libya and Italy, which is a strategic partner in various economic fields with Libya.
Italian products are valued in Libya
He said the products and services offered by Italian companies through their agents are of high quality and are highly sought after by the Libyan consumer.
Transfer of knowledge needed
Raied stressed the need to take advantage of Italian manufacturing companies to transfer technology and localize industries inside Libya, which directly contribute to supporting stability, diversifying sources of income, and providing new job opportunities for the Libyan workforce.
Exhibition is an indicator of Libya’s improved economy
Referring to the support of the Libyan General Union of Chambers of Commerce for such economic events because, he said, they give positive indications of the reality of the good economic situation in Libya, which is improving day by day. He said the improvement will increase more if there is continuous work with the participation of everyone, whether in the private or public sector to recycle the wheel of the Libyan economy.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive statement to Libya Herald, the head of the Libyan side in the Libyan-Italian Chamber of Commerce, Anwar Abu Sitta (Who is also the head of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce), said that this exhibition confirms the strengthening of the strategic partnership between Libya and Italy in various fields, as there is good trade exchange between the two countries.
Libya supplies oil, gas and some other products to Italy, where Eni is considered one of the largest companies that invest in partnership with the National Oil Corporation in the fields of oil and gas. Italy also supplies a lot of different commodities and products to Libya.
Italy the first trading partner for Libya in the Mediterranean
Abu Sitta referred to the endeavour of the Libyan-Italian Chamber of Commerce to increase the volume of trade exchange, solve many obstacles and create a good environment for establishing joint investments between the two sides, which share common interests, making Italy the first trading partner for Libya in the Mediterranean basin.
Agents of Italian Industries exhibition 30 October to 2 November in Tripoli (libyaherald.com)
