The Libyan Italian Forum (Benghazi, 25-26 June) concluded its second and final day yesterday with the Director General of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, Belgassem Hafter, signing ‘‘several memorandums of understanding with 98 specialized Italian companies’’, including IVECO, the manufacturer of trucks and heavy vehicles. ‎
‎The Fund reported that these memoranda covered vital areas related to reconstruction and development priorities, most notably:‎
‎ • Infrastructure‎
‎ • Energy‎
‎ • ‎‎Engineering Consultancy‎
‎ • Finishing and decorations‎ (contracting/construction)
‎ • Sea and air transport‎
‎ • Training, capacity-building and other areas ‎
‎‎223 Libyan companies participated in B2B meetingsThe Fund said the forum witnessed wide participation of more than 223 Libyan companies in bilateral business sessions (B2B) in which logistical, legal and financial frameworks were discussed to facilitate the entry of Italian companies into the Libyan market and enhance cooperation and investment opportunities.‎
‎The Fund said the signing of these memorandums also comes in the context of the strategic plan of the Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund, which aims to enhance technical cooperation with international companies and provide an effective partnership environment that contributes to the reconstruction of Libya with a focus on localising knowledge and transferring expertise to national cadres through specialised training programmes.‎
The forum also comes as part of its strategy to support the private sector ‎‎and microenterprises and provide technical and logistical support to activate international partnerships and stimulate the national economy.‎
The forum was organized under the auspices of the Hafter controlled Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund and in the presence of the Fund’s Director General, Belgassem Hafter, the President of the National Development Agency, the Mayor of Benghazi, along with several eastern based official figures.‎ On the Italian side the Italian Ambassador, the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Consul General in Benghazi also participated in the event.
Libyan Italian Forum for Development and Reconstruction to be held in Benghazi from 25 to 26 June
New ro-ro line between Venice and Libya will set sail in May