The Tripoli based Libyan Ministry of Marine Resources confirmed Monday that based on advice by its Minister to Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, the Prime Minister has issued instructions to the Ministry of Economy and Trade to cancel its exceptional fish export licenses.
The issue has been a point of contention between the Marine Resources and Economy Ministry.
In announcing the policy reversal the Marine Resources Ministry announced Monday ‘‘With the tireless efforts of the Minister of Marine Resources, as well as his letter No. (295/26/02) dated 12/08/2025, in which he warned of the repercussions of the continuation of the implementation of the decision of the Minister of Economy and Trade No. (273) of 2025 AD regarding the permission to export fish and grant export approvals, the Prime Minister issued his instructions to the Minister of Economy and Trade to cancel his decision and stop all exceptions and permits issued to several companies, in accordance with what the public interest requires in light of the high prices of fish in the local market and maintaining food security’’.
It will be recalled that Aldabaiba had first announced the fish export policy change during a wider economy meeting he had chaired at his Tripoli Cabinet Office last Sunday, with the attendance of Acting Minister of Economy and Trade, Suhail Abu Sheha, the Chairman of the Privatization and Investment Board (PIB), and the Head of the Commercial Registry Authority.
Fish export exemptions to be halted to mitigate local fish price rises
He had issued instructions to halt any exemptions for fish exports because of rising local fish prices. He had stressed that consumer protection is a top priority for his government.
Different priorities between the two ministries
The reversal of policy highlights the tension between the Marine Resources Ministry and the Economy and Trade Ministry and their different perspectives. Whilst the Economy Minister Mohamed Hwej has been in office for several decades now, spanning from the Qaddafi era, his more junior Marine Resources Minister, Adel Sultan, is new to cabinet affairs.
Sultan appealed directly to his PM
Sultan seems to be more interested in the narrower policy of keeping local fish retail prices to please local consumers, which his Prime Minister agreed with. Hwej seems to favour encouraging economic growth and the earning of hard currency for the Libyan economy. It Is unclear how many fish export ban exemptions were issued by Hwej and what types and volumes of fish were exported. What is clear is that Sultan went over the head of Hwej and appealed to the PM – and came out on top.
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