The Mediterranean International Trade Forum, to be held in Tunis from 5 to 6 October 2026, represents a strategic step towards strengthening economic integration among Mediterranean countries and opening new horizons for the Libyan private sector to integrate into regional and international markets.
In an exclusive statement to Libya Herald, Yassine Bousrouil, General Manager of Outbox for Exhibitions and Conferences, said that the forum comes at a time of rapid changes in global trade and supply chains, along with the increasing need for more efficient tools for trade finance and risk management. This makes cooperation between banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions one of the most important pillars for supporting trade and investment in the region.
He explained that the forum will bring together leading executives from banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, international financial institutions, and export development agencies, along with business leaders, experts, and decision-makers from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The aim is to discuss the latest trends in international trade finance, compliance and governance, financial technology, and solutions for insuring against commercial and political risks.
The General Manager of Outbox added that the event is not limited to academic or theoretical discussions but focuses on building practical partnerships through bilateral business (B2B) sessions and an accompanying exhibition featuring banking institutions, insurance companies, and financial technology firms. This creates real opportunities for concluding cooperation agreements and expanding the network of trade and investment relationships among participants.
Bousrouil pointed out that the forum represents an important opportunity for Libyan institutions and companies to connect directly with international partners and learn about the latest solutions in trade finance, cross-border payments, risk management, and compliance with international standards. This will enhance the readiness of the Libyan private sector to integrate into the global economy.
He emphasized that Outbox, through organizing the forum in partnership with the Italian firm Decapua and the Italian Delta Centre, was keen to attract internationally renowned financial and commercial institutions, along with a number of supporting entities, including the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the World Federation of Takaful Insurance, the Libyan Insurance Federation, and the African Investment and Project Finance Company (AFIC), thus enhancing the event's economic value and giving it an international dimension.
The Outbox General Manager added that the forum reflects a vision aimed at building a permanent platform for economic cooperation between Europe and Africa, noting that Libya possesses a strategic geographical location that qualifies it to be a major hub in regional trade, which necessitates strengthening communication between its economic institutions and their regional and international counterparts.
In concluding his statement to Libya Herald, Bousrouil emphasized that the forum aims to produce practical initiatives and recommendations that contribute to developing the international trade finance system, strengthening investment partnerships, and supporting the digital transformation of financial services, thereby creating a more efficient and sustainable business environment and enhancing the Mediterranean region's position as a global economic and trade corridor.