Tripoli government relents to pressure from small business – suspends decision 42/2025 restricting imports to those paid for by banking transactions

Further to recent meetings and demonstrations by small importers in Misrata and Tripoli, and their meeting with Naji Issa, the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), and a meeting at the Cabinet Office under the chairmanship of the Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Shahoubi, the Tripoli based Libyan government relented yesterday to these demands by suspending Economy Ministry decision 4/2025 that had stipulated that imports were only allowed into the country if they had been paid for by official local banking transactions.

The government concession came in the form of the circulation to Chambers of Commerce and ports of a Customs Authority notification stating that ‘‘Based on the decision to suspend the implementation of Resolution No. (42) of 2025 regarding the prohibition of engaging in import and export activities except through banking operations approved by the Central Bank, it has been decided to extend the period of permission for the entry of goods and merchandise, and to grant permission for their release from all customs ports, in accordance with the controls and procedures previously in place, and in a manner that does not conflict with the applicable laws and legislation, until further notice’’.

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PM’s Financial Advisor Shahoubi holds meeting on lack of banking facilities for small importers – Tripoli Chamber calls for suspension of 42/2025

CBL meets protesting small importers – makes banking concessions to facilitate easier import of goods

Small importers demonstrate in front of CBL against complicated banking procedures – CBL holds meeting with them

Small business in Misrata condemn Economy Ministry’s decision to prohibit imports except by banking transactions

Tripoli Chamber of Commerce follows up with Economy Minister on small traders’ demands at last workshop against CBL’s restrictive imports policy

CBL fails to attend workshop on “Decision-Making and Implementation Meet: A Direct Dialogue between the CBL and the Private Sector”

Small businesses hold meeting with Tripoli Chamber to air concerns over halting of imports not paid for through banking system

All imports into Libya must be paid for through official bank transactions

Acting Economy Minister meets smaller merchants objecting to restricting imports to official banking transactions

Tunisian goods entering Libya by land will no longer need to be paid for through Letters of Credit (libyaherald.com)

CBL allows for opening of LCs for imports through land borders (libyaherald.com)

Tripoli Libyan government reverses decision on imports needing LCs (libyaherald.com)

Imports at ports not paid for by LCs will no longer be released after 31 December (libyaherald.com)

Libyan imports to continue to be allowed to enter without Letters of Credit payment prerequisite (libyaherald.com)

Tripoli Libyan government reverses decision on imports needing LCs

https://www.libyaherald.com/2020/11/18/imports-at-ports-not-paid-for-by-lcs-will-no-longer-be-released-after-31-december