Speaking to the Italian-Libyan Business and Investment Forum held in Misrata Free Zone last Sunday (1 November), Italy’s Ambassador to Libya, Gianluca Alberini, said Misrata and its Free Zone possess the full potential to become a transcontinental logistics hub.
He said this important initiative, the Italian-Libyan business and investment Forum, marks another step toward strengthening economic relations between Italy and Libya.
Alberini greeted the Tripoli based Libyan Minister of Transport, Mohammed Shahoubi, all the Libyan authorities present, the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce—and its President, Nicola Colicchi—Unioncamere, the Misrata Free Zone, and everyone who contributed to organizing th;e event.
The Ambassador said the presence of Annalisa Tardino, President of the Port System Authority of the Western Sicilian Sea, highlights new prospects for collaboration between the ports of Italy and Libya.
60 Italian companies and 250 Libyan firms shows strong mutual interest
He added that the participation of approximately 60 Italian companies and 250 Libyan firms serves as a concrete demonstration of the strong mutual interest and shared desire to build new collaborative opportunities. This aligns with the ongoing intensification of economic and commercial Libyan-Italian ties, following the business forums previously held in Tripoli in 2024 and Benghazi in 2025.
The Ambassador referred to his previous several visits to Misrata Free Zones—most recently two weeks ago, in preparation for this mission, and prior to that, during the signing of the investment agreement between the Misrata Free Zone (MFZ), MSC, and Maha Capital Partners, which took place in the presence of Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.
Italy is consistently Libya’s primary commercial partner
Alberini stressed that Italy remains, consistently, Libya’s primary commercial partner—serving as the main destination for its exports and, according to the latest available data, its leading supplier—with export figures showing strong year-on-year growth. It is a relationship that continues to renew and diversify, extending well beyond the traditional energy sector.
Two-thirds of shipments between Libya, Italy, and Europe transit through Misrata
In this context, he added, Misrata holds a position of great significance as a vibrant commercial and industrial hub, through which two-thirds of the goods moving between Libya, Italy, and Europe transit.
MFZ: A bridge between Italy, Europe, and Africa
Misrata and its Free Zone possess the full potential to become a transcontinental logistics hub, capable of connecting and bringing closer the entirety of Sub-Saharan Africa—thereby serving as a bridge between Italy, Europe, and Africa, in the true spirit of the Mattei Plan, the Ambassador explained.
Welcoming planned cooperation agreement with Western Sicily ports
The Ambassador particularly welcomed the planned cooperation agreement with the ports of Western Sicily, which will further strengthen logistical and commercial ties across our two shores of the Mediterranean.
The Embassy of Italy in Tripoli and the Consulate General in Benghazi, together with the ICE (Italian Trade Agency) desk, are fully committed to supporting these relations by assisting businesses, facilitating contacts with local institutions and operators, and fostering the mobility of our respective business communities, he added.
Streamlining of business visas, resumption & expansion of direct flights
To this end, the Ambassador said they have worked—and continue to work—extensively to streamline the issuance of visas for Libyan business professionals, which is essential for strengthening commercial relations.
He said they are also focused on the resumption and expansion of direct air links between Italy and Libya, thanks in part to close collaboration with ENAC (the Italian Civil Aviation Authority) and the Libyan authorities. Following the progress made regarding connections to Tripoli and Benghazi, he said he hoped to extend this network to Misrata, making exchanges between our two countries increasingly easy and frequent.
Ambassador Alberini said Italy will continue to support Libya’s economic and industrial development, contributing its expertise, technologies, and entrepreneurial capabilities to the growth of the local productive sector, professional training, and the creation of job opportunities—especially for the younger generation.
In reaffirming the commitment of the Embassy and the entire "Sistema Italia" (Team Italy) to supporting this process, he thanked the Italian and Libyan entrepreneurs present at the event for the confidence and determination with which they continue to invest in the future of the Libyan-Italian relations.
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