Debbie Hirst, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Libyan (AmCham) and Ahmed Ghazali, Vice President of AmCham Libya, visited Benghazi yesterday to participate in meetings with Mayor Alsaqer Emran Abojwary as well as a delegation from the Benghazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
AmCham reported that they were received in the Mayor’s office where they discussed ”specific initiatives that could be undertaken in order to bring U.S. companies to Benghazi”.
Priority projects discussed
Benghazi Municipality reported that the meeting discussed ways for American companies to return to work in the city of Benghazi and cooperation between Businessmen and joint business visits for businessmen. They also discussed the most important projects that can be implemented and targeted, which are considered a priority during the coming period in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, health, education, information technology and opportunities for American companies.
Benghazi Municipality further reported that AmCham President Debbie Hirst praised the warm reception and expressed her readiness to ”achieve fruitful cooperation that will have real results during the coming period”.
Opportunities, multiple funding and payment process
Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to Libya Herald, AmCham President, Debbie Hirst, said “We were very impressed with our visit to Benghazi. We believe there are interesting opportunities for U.S. companies to engage in Benghazi. There are multiple sources of funding available, and the authorities are taking special care to support the payment process, which is an area of particular concern to our members.
In general, we were pleased with what we saw and heard, and we are committed to supporting the rebuilding of Benghazi. We visited a recently opened French-based hypermarket (Géant Hypermarket, part of the French Group Casino), and it was like we were in France. Really very impressive.”
AmCham meets Benghazi Chamber of Commerce
AmCham’s visit to Benghazi also included a meeting at the Benghazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) headquarters. BCCI Acting Chairman Muneim Elsaeiti explained the history of the BCCI, and highlighted how the rebuilding of Benghazi has been spearheaded by BCCI members.
BCCI’s know your business partner system
Hirst reported that he took great pride in demonstrating the modern techniques that the BCCI has implemented to track and monitor their members, which is designed to give confidence to any U.S. company that enters into a business relationship with them.
BCCI Arbitration Council
In addition, BCCI has set up an Arbitration Council which should allow for quick resolution of any business-related disputes involving members.
BCCI’s high ratio of female staff
Finally, Hirst reported that Elsaeiti pointed out that the majority of the BCCI staff is female, which he said was on purpose, owing to what he perceives as the high level of professionalism on the part of women in the workforce.
Benghazi serious about development
Ahmed Ghazali, Vice President of AmCham Libya told Libya Herald “AmCham will be making efforts to support U.S. company engagement in Benghazi. The Mayor and BCCI are serious about development in Benghazi, and we think the city would benefit from some of the world-class know-how that American companies bring.”
