a day ago
Libyan-Italian economic forum kicks off in Benghazi
The Libyan-Italian Economic Forum officially launched on Tuesday in the city of Benghazi, coinciding with the inauguration of the first direct flight by Italy's national airline from Rome to Benghazi.
The three-day forum is hosting around 100 companies, with expectations of over 450 participants including entrepreneurs, institutional representatives, company managers, and Libyan delegates.
The President of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce, Nicola Colicchi, described Benghazi as one of the most stable and dynamic areas in Libya. He emphasized that the event is not a governmental initiative, but rather a business-to-business meeting, according to the Italian outlet Decode39.
The event is organized by the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Tripoli and the Consulate General in Benghazi. During the forum, Italian companies are holding business meetings with local partners, with a focus on eastern Libya, which is currently undergoing infrastructure reconstruction and economic revitalization.
The forum also includes sessions on priority sectors identified by Libya's Reconstruction and Development Fund, such as infrastructure, healthcare, water management, port logistics, agriculture, environmental technologies, and sustainable development.
Participating Libyan companies operate in sectors including construction, food processing, fisheries, and healthcare. Organizers noted a 'very high demand' for knowledge, technology, and business management expertise — a significant opportunity for Italian small and medium-sized enterprises.
Decode39 highlighted that Rome aims to strengthen its strategic presence in a highly competitive environment. Colicchi remarked, 'The Turks are everywhere,' underscoring that the forum reflects efforts to reinforce a structured Italian presence in Libya.
The Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce is also set to open a new permanent office in Benghazi to serve as a hub for Italian businesses seeking to build sustainable ties with the Libyan market, the outlet reported.
