Misrata Chamber objects to CBL reneging on agreement reached at 28 October meeting postponing Decision 42/2025 prohibiting imports without official banking transactions

Misrata Chamber of Commerce issued a statement today objecting to the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) reneging on its agreement reached at their joint 28 October meeting.

At that meeting, the CBL had agreed to suspend the Ministry of Economy decision 42/2025 that instructed the Customs Authority not to release imports at ports or future imports that had not been paid for through official bank transactions.

Here is Misrata Chamber of Commerce’s statement in full:

‘‘Regarding the recent statement issued by the Central Bank and its address to the Minister of Economy and Trade regarding the continuation of Decision No. (2025/42)

We have followed with great regret the letter from the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya addressed to the Minister of Economy and Trade, dated November 2nd of this year, regarding his insistence on continuing to implement Ministerial Decision No. (42) of 2025 concerning the prohibition of import and export operations except through approved banking payment methods.

The Central Bank’s failure to adhere to the agreement reached in our meeting on October 28, 2025, at the Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli constitutes an evasion of responsibility and an attempt to shift the blame onto the Minister of Economy and Trade of the Government of National Unity. The Minister had instructed the Customs Authority to postpone the implementation of Resolution No. (2025/42) until further notice to address the issue of goods en route to Libyan ports, as well as goods that have already been ordered and are currently being manufactured, requiring a minimum of six months for production.

While we highly appreciate the Minister of Economy and Trade’s response in postponing the implementation of Resolution No. (42/2025) until further notice, based on the demands of small traders and manufacturers, we commend his keenness to address the problems and obstacles.

We appreciate his wise and effective management in mitigating the crises that would result from implementing this resolution at this time, which would lead to shortages of essential goods for citizens in the local market, especially with the holy month of Ramadan approaching. We therefore emphasize the following:

1) The implementation of Resolution No. (42/2025) is postponed until mid-2026, provided that the agreements reached with the Central Bank are implemented during this period.

2) We will continue our demands until the Central Bank fulfils its obligations by activating all approved payment methods and ensuring fairness between large companies and small merchants in accessing bank transfers, letters of credit, and cash-against-documents’’.

For full analysis of the issue see previous articles below:

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

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