The Land Ports Management and Operation Centre of the Tripoli based Libyan Ministry of Transportation announced the readiness to operate the Ghadames-Al-Debdeb border crossing with Algeria, in preparation for the resumption of passenger traffic and commercial exchange ‘‘during the coming period’’.
In an exclusive interview with Libya Herald, the Director of the Media Office of the Ministry of Transport, Siraj Al-Hamal, confirmed that this announcement of the reopening of the border crossing between Libya and Algeria came as a result of the efforts made by the Tripoli Libyan government, and especially the Ministry of Transport, in order to alleviate the suffering of movement among citizens, as well as to resume commercial movement directly between Algeria and Libya, without the need to transit through Tunisia.
Al-Hamal said the Libyan-Algerian joint committee signed the minutes of resuming the operation of the Ghadames-Al-Debdeb land port in the capital, Algiers, in the presence of the Libyan ambassador there. This will be in accordance with a protocol regulating the movement of people and goods between Libya and Algeria, provided that the port will be officially opened after granting permission from the Tripoli based Libyan Minister of Transport, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi.
Al-Hamal said the opening ceremony of the border crossing will be held in the coming days, marking the beginning of the return of direct transport and communications between Libya and Algeria.
Reopening good for travellers and business
Regarding the importance of the return of the crossing, Al-Hamal stressed that it will shorten the movement of goods, commodities and individuals between the two countries, which will reduce transportation costs and the time required, thus serving the economies of the two countries and opening new horizons for economic cooperation and joint investment.
Reopening the crossing could lead to trade reaching US$ 3 billion
It is worth noting that the Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwej, said last May that Libya wants to establish a free trade zone with Algeria, and that he expected trade as a result of the reopening of the border crossing to reach 3 billion dollars, compared to 65 million dollars at the present time, of which 59 million dollars are Algerian exports to Libya.
Border crossing closed for more than 8 years
It will also be recalled that during a field visit last August to the border crossing, Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba had called for the reopening of the land border crossing between Libya and Algeria to travellers, which had been closed for more than 8 years.
Ghadames-Debdeb Algerian crossing ready – opening deadline to be set with Algeria (libyaherald.com)
More meetings on reopening the Ghadames-Debdeb Libyan Algerian border crossing (libyaherald.com)
Libyan Economy Minister participates in Algerian Libyan Economic Forum 29-31 May | (libyaherald.com)
Algeria to accelerate reopening of its borders with Libya | (libyaherald.com)
High level Algerian delegation visits Tripoli | (libyaherald.com)
GECOL signs wide cooperation agreement with Algeria’s Sonelgaz | (libyaherald.com)
Algeria’s Sonelgaz discusses electricity exports with GECOL | (libyaherald.com)
Libya and Algeria to activate existing health agreements (libyaherald.com)
Libyan General Union of Chambers signs MoU with Algerian counterpart (libyaherald.com)
