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Libya is discussing with Turkey ending the imposition of customs tariffs on its exports to Turkey.
The discussion came during last Sunday’s meeting between the Director General of the Libyan Export Promotion Centre (LEPC), Mohamed El-Deeb, accompanied by Omar Derhoub, the Commercial Attaché at the Libyan Embassy in Istanbul, with Yusuf Yildiz, the Commercial Attaché at the Turkish embassy in Tripoli.
Ending Turkish tariffs first discussed last July in Istanbul
It will be recalled, and as reported by Libya Herald at the time, the issue of ending Turkish tariffs on Libyan imports was first publicly aired on 13 July in a meeting at the Libyan Consulate General in Istanbul. At that meeting, ways of increasing Libyan exports to Turkey to contribute to achieving economic diversification were discussed with the Turkish side.
The meeting was led by Shather Al-Sayed, Advisor to the Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade Mohamed Hwej, in the presence of the Libyan Consul General, Salah Al-Kaseh, the Commercial Attaché at the Consulate General in Istanbul, Omar Derhoub, the head of the LEPC, Mohamed Al-Deeb, the Director of Investment in the Misrata Free Zone, Alaeddin Baba, the Chairman of Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Fathi Al-Amin.
The meeting also included several Libyan companies participating in the F-Istanbul Food Fair with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and several Turkish companies.
Speaking exclusively to Libya Herald, the Director of the Media Office at the LEPC, Mohamed Al-Belaili, said Sunday’s meeting between LEPC head El-Deeb and Turkey’s Commercial Attaché Yildiz discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between the LEPC and economic institutions in Turkey, to bring points of view closer and to present the problems facing commercial exchanges between the two countries, and the issue of ending customs tariffs.
Treating Libyan exports to Turkey as Turkish exports to Libya
Al-Belaili said that the meeting with the Turkish Commercial Attaché aimed to support Libyan exports and overcome the difficulties they face in entering the Turkish market, including procedures related to ending customs tariffs and fees imposed on Libyan exports, as well as treating Libyan exports to Turkey on a par to Turkish imports into Libya.
At least reduce customs tariffs imposed on Libyan exports
The LEPC Media Director referred to an invitation made by Libya’s Commercial Attaché Omar Derhoub to holding a meeting that includes the Libyan Chambers of Commerce with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, under the supervision of the LEPC and the Commercial Attaché at the Turkish Embassy in Tripoli and in cooperation with the competent authorities in Turkey and Libya in order to cancel or at least to reduce the customs tariffs.
Increase Libyan exports to Turkey
Al-Belaili added that the LEPC, in cooperation with the Turkish Commercial Attaché, intends to increase the volume of bilateral trade exchange by increasing Libyan exports to Turkey of raw materials, recyclable materials, and agricultural products such as dates, to the extent that makes Libya and Turkey ideal trade partners.
Turkish imports by Libya at US$ 2.4 billion in 2022
He pointed out that Turkish imports into Libya in 2022 amounted to 2.4 billion dollars, and during the first four months of this year, imports amounted to 758 million dollars, according to published official Turkish statistics.
He said the LEPC will continue holding exhibitions and economic forums at home and abroad that encourage local suppliers to display their various products for export abroad, especially to Turkey, which is a major trading partner and a promising market for Libyan products.
