The Minister of Economy and Trade in the Tripoli-based Libyan government, Mohamed Al-Hwej, held a preparatory meeting for the Libyan-Italian Business Forum that included the Undersecretary for Commercial Affairs, Suhail Abu Shiha, the President of the General Authority for Exhibitions, Essam Al-Aoul, the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Mohamed Al-Raied, the Vice President of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture, Al-Tayeb Al-Salhi, and a member of the Private Sector Development Department in the Ministry, Hassan Al-Kamil.
Commenting on the preparatory meeting for the Libyan-Italian Business Forum, the head of the General Authority for Exhibitions, Essam Al-Aoul, said in an exclusive interview with Libya Herald that the attendees discussed the executive procedures for the results of the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy, during which direct flights between the two countries were inaugurated. The recommendations of the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs’ meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Libya and the results of bilateral meetings with the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce and the Chairman of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Committee, were also reviewed.
Italy is Libya’s first economic partner
Al-Aoul affirmed the endeavour of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, through the General Exhibitions Authority, to organize this, what he referred to as ‘‘the prominent event’’. He said the event will enhance economic cooperation between Libya and Italy as two trading partners in many fields, in addition to the growing volume of trade exchange between them. He reminded that Italy is the first economic partner for Libya, especially in the fields of oil and gas as well as Libya being at an advanced level in terms of Italian imports to it during 2022 and the first half of 2023.
Necessary to establish fixed annual exhibitions
Al-Aoul believes that it has become necessary to establish economic activities such as exhibitions and forums with Italy, with specific dates throughout the year, to be placed on the agenda of Libyan-Italian exhibitions and forums, and to be recorded as permanent economic events organized every year. This is in order for these events to be a destination for those looking for joint investment opportunities and to see what they offer companies in the two countries in terms of technologies, services, goods and merchandise.
Event to open horizons for Libyan private sector
Al-Aoul said this event will open horizons for the local private sector in Libya to get acquainted with what is new with Italian companies, especially after a hiatus of several years of organising such forums with the Italian partner. He said the Italian side has expressed willingness to create conditions for the events’ successes through the wide participation of Italian companies in the fields of construction, contracting, various industries, transportation, communications, and other economic fields, especially since Italy is characterized by a strong economy based on innovation and production.
Regarding the date of the forum, Al-Aoul would not be specific, but he said that coordination will take place with the Commercial Office at the Italian Embassy in Tripoli to determine the participating parties and the date for the forum, which is, nevertheless, expected to be held by the end of this year.
