A delegation from the Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, headed by the President of the Chamber, Fathi Al-Amin Al-Turki, visited the headquarters of the General Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce on Monday, where they were received by Ahmed Al-Wakil, President of the Federation and members of its Board of Directors, to discuss ways to increase trade and investment relations.
The two sides reviewed the investment and trade opportunities in the two countries and ways of benefiting from them to increase the volume of trade, organizing joint exhibitions, visiting delegations, and participating in various conferences.
Speaking exclusively to Libya Herald, the head of the Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Fathi Al-Amin, stated that a memorandum of cooperation had been signed with the Giza Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Permanent exhibition of Egyptian products in Misrata
Among its provisions is the agreement to hold a permanent exhibition of Egyptian products in Misrata, increase trade and the formation of Libyan-Egyptian partnerships in several fields, including construction, transportation, heavy industries, iron and steel, maritime transport, cement and food industries, as well as cooperation in the tourism sector.
Egyptian side ready to send delegation to Misrata
Al-Amin revealed the readiness of the Egyptian side to form a delegation of Egyptian businessmen to visit Misrata to develop the final vision for the establishment of the permanent exhibition. This will include studying the market and its commodity needs in general to evaluate the investment opportunities in Misrata, and the possibility of establishing partnerships between Libyan and Egyptian businessmen.
Forming effective partnerships
The head of the Misrata Chamber stressed the importance of forming effective partnerships between Libyan business owners and companies registered in the Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Egyptian businessmen and companies. In this regard, the two parties agreed to exchange information, visits and delegations, and to use modern methods of communication permanently and effectively to serve the common economic interests of the two countries.
Obstacles to more trade discussed: Visas, customs control and crossing the border
With regard to the difficulties faced by merchants in the two countries to achieve more partnerships and increase the volume of trade exchange, Al-Amin said, “We discussed the obstacles, difficulties and problems facing Libyan businessmen and merchants, especially with regard to issuing visas, as well as obstacles in customs outlets, as well as the movement of goods and commodities in Musaed – Salloum border crossing, which needs further facilitation to achieve greater flow without delay that impedes commercial movement and wastes time, effort and money.’’
