Plans are underway to start implementing the long-awaited new Tripoli Fair Grounds project.
The revelation came during a meeting yesterday headed by Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Hwej, held in the presence of the Chairman of the Administrative Control Authority, Suleiman Al-Shanti, the Undersecretaries of the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Free Zones, the Minister’s Advisor, directors of departments and heads of bodies affiliated with the Ministry of Economy.
During this meeting the Chairman of the General Authority for Exhibitions, Essam Al-Aoul, reviewed the strategic plan of the General Authority for Exhibitions, including the start of the implementation of the new Tripoli (Al-Amriya/Saadiya) Fair.
450,000 m2 of exhibition space
The new fair will have a total area of 450,000 square meters, located 20 km from Tripoli International Airport, 49 km from Mitiga Airport, 42 km from Tripoli Port, and 39 km from the center of the capital.
Initially 13,500 m2 will be developed
At the meeting, a visual presentation of the investment maps of the exhibition was made showing the total area of the initial target showrooms of 13,500 square meters.
Speaking exclusively to Libya Herald, the head of the General Authority for Exhibitions, Essam Al-Aoul, confirmed that the choice of the Al-Amriya/Saadiya area was due to its good geographical features.
Good location
He said the area offers good space for an exhibition of international standards, which allows the establishment of covered and open showrooms with different service facilities. In addition to this, there is the presence of two good roads to the centre of Tripoli, and the proximity to Tripoli International Airport, where construction work recently restarted.
Exhibition space with international standards
Al-Aoul pointed out that there is an urgent need to establish an exhibition with international standards that is compatible with the requirements of international organizations specialized in exhibitions in terms of showrooms and their expansion and service and logistical facilities as a substitute for the old Tripoli International Fair.
Current fairgrounds outdated
He said the Italian colonial era old Tripoli Fairgrounds can no longer accommodate exhibitions and international economic events due to their limited space and obsolescence. This is due to its outdated buildings and presence in a crowded area in the heart of the Tripoli.
Initial vision being developed
Al-Aoul added that the basic proposals and initial visions of the exhibition format and the distribution of its halls are currently being developed. He said these will be presented to specialized engineering companies for drawing architectural and construction maps, and at another stage, the project will be presented to contractors to implement the various exhibition halls and facilities.
Current Tripoli Fairgrounds will remain
As for the current fairgrounds, Al-Aoul said that work is underway to maintain and develop the existing showrooms and establish new ones according to international standards.
Private sector involvement
He stressed the Minister of Economy’s instructions for the need to involve the private sector to achieve this and for exhibitions to be an important and essential resource supporting the national economy.
