The Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture hosted the Italian Ambassador to Libya, Gianluca Alberini, at its Tripoli headquarters yesterday. Alberini, and his delegation, were met by the President of Tripoli Chamber’s General Assembly, Nasser Hamza, and the Chairman of the Management Committee, Anwar Abu Sitta, in the presence of the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Mohamed Al-Raied.
Tripoli Chamber reported that the meeting discussed ways to enhance trade relations between the private sectors in the two countries as a culmination of the efforts of the Tripoli-based Libyan government in the return of direct flights between the two countries and the opening of Italian airspace to air traffic. But also, in addition to the recovery of economic activity and the significant increase in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries.
Commenting exclusively to Libya Herald on the meeting and its results, the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Mohamed Al-Raied said, Libyan-Italian economic cooperation has tangible positive results on the economies of the two partner countries. Libya is Italy’s first trading partner in North Africa, and Italy is the ideal trading partner for Libya in the Mediterranean basin for several considerations. These include the proximity of the distance and the good bilateral relations, as well as Italian technical progress in many industrial fields.
Meetings must continue to inform Libyan private sector of Italian opportunities
Al-Raied believes that it is necessary to continue such meetings between the two sides, whether at the government level or the private sector level. He said this is for business owners and private companies in Libya to be briefed on the investment opportunities offered by Italian private companies, which enables them, with knowledge of the smallest details, to transfer the great experience of the Italian private sector to Libyan private companies, which began years ago to find its way to success.
Italy serious about achieving real economic partnership
For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, Anwar Abu Sitta, said that the Italian side is serious in cooperating with the Libyan chambers of commerce, especially the Tripoli Chamber, to achieve a real economic partnership between the private sector in the two countries.
A strategic economic partnership
Abu Sitta viewed the visit of the Italian ambassador to the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce as a clear indication of the extent of interest on the Italian side in raising the volume of trade and economic cooperation that serves the interests of both parties. It would also enable achievement of a model of strategic economic partnership in the Mediterranean basin between two countries that have economic potential and different resources. These potentials need the search for investment opportunities that will achieve a great benefit that has a financial return that contributes to the recovery of commercial movement in the two countries.
Interest in return of direct passenger and cargo air traffic
Abu Sitta stressed the Libyan side’s interest in the return of direct air traffic between the two countries and the launch of an air freight line, which facilitates the movement of business owners and investors, the flow of goods and services, and the increase in the volume of trade.
Organizing an exhibition of Libyan industries in Italy
The possibility of organizing an exhibition of Libyan industries in Italy, with a proposal to establish a Libyan-Italian economic forum in the two countries, and to hold joint economic activities with the support and supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, were also discussed, Abu Sitta reported.
Localisation of Libyan industry
Commenting on the meeting, the head of the Libyan Industry Union (LIU), Ali Nuseer, said an introductory presentation specifically about the LIU was made to the Italian Ambassador and his delegation followed by an exchange of views to open prospects for cooperation in the field of industry and its localization in Libya.
‘‘Localisation’’ is part of the Tripoli-based Libyan government’s wider policy to provide more healthcare domestically and to diversify revenues through supporting exports and local industrial production.
