(by Vanessa Tomassini) Work, entrepreneurship and trade represent the engine of a country. The restoration of key services to citizens, the reconstruction and improvement of infrastructure, as well as the economic recovery that Libya aspires to represent a fundamental contribution to the ongoing peace process. In this context the Italian-Libyan Association for Commercial Development (ILDBA) conducted a three-day mission to Misrata in which he met traders, large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as associations and financial organizations to understand what the needs of Libyans are and what contribution Italian companies can provide at this time recovery. Thanking the mayor of Misurata Mahmoud al-Soqotri for hospitality, the president of ILBDA Sandro Fratini, expressed surprise and appreciation for the great results that Libyan companies have managed to achieve despite the difficult circumstances that the country has gone through in recent years. "Libya has immense potential - Fratini said - the large availability of resources, the cultural heritage and the well-educated population, especially its young people with strong potential, are factors to be exploited more to create a diverse and dynamic economy. This is demonstrated by the companies in Misurata which are making important investments, implementing new production lines, expansions and successful projects in a relatively short time ”. The mayor, for his part, expressed his desire to strengthen commercial relations between the two countries, welcoming the association and Italian entrepreneurs to the city of Misurata.
Free zones are considered one of the most important economic resources due to their active role in trade movements between countries due to its exemption from any tax restrictions, contributing to the growth of the economy, as well as facilitating the movement of global trade. ILBDA appreciated in the Measured Free Zone an advanced and well-organized investment environment, suitable for receiving large industrial, commercial and service operations, available to those who wish to invest. "The free port of Misurata has 3500 hectares including the seaport with the potential for expansion up to 20.000 hectares". The president explained Muhsin M. Sigutri, hoping for the creation of direct shipping lines with Italy and Europe. The Misurata free zone port has been known since ancient times as a natural port used by the Phoenicians on the west coast of Libya, and has played an important role in commercial activities since the 1978th century BC The modern seaport arose in 190 with a well thought out plan that took into account the latest methods of designing and building seaports, thus contributing significantly to the increase in transit trade between Europe, Asia and Africa. The port with an area of 4000 hectares, its quay of 13 meters and a depth of XNUMX, has been classified as one of the best managed Libyan seaports and has become a popular destination for many international transport lines.
During discussions with representatives of the Libyan Business Council (LBC), Sandro Fratini expressed the desire of many Italian companies that intend to invest in Libya and concretely participate in the reconstruction of the North African country. Ahmed Almazeg, a member of the LBC Management Board said Libyans are eager to do business with Italy, but that communication is often difficult. ILBDA confirmed its willingness to facilitate relations between the companies of the two countries, not only through forums and meetings, but also by organizing missions to Misrata and other cities in Libya in the near future.
In this regard, at the invitation of the Tajer Corporation for Cooperation and Investment, Sandro Fratini and the ILBDA management paid a visit to the Misrata International Fair, a large and organized exhibition space where thousands of companies showcase their products and projects every year. ILBDA also visited a number of manufacturing plants and companies in Misrata, including the Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO), considered one of the largest industrial companies in Libya, located on an area of 1.200 hectares, just 210 kilometers east of the city of Tripoli.
The company's design capacity is 1.324 million tons of liquid steel per year, adopting direct reduction of iron pellets and using domestic natural gas. The company has a direct reduction plant (3 units), steel casting workshops, 4 bar mill lines, a medium and light section mill, a hot rolling mill, a cold rolling mill, galvanizing line and of coating.
ILBDA had the opportunity to visit the company's headquarters and the adjacent seaport which will be inaugurated in a few weeks. Sandro Fratini then visited the company's plants Aljayed Food Import, a 100% Libyan company belonging to the food wholesaler industry, founded in 2012. Aljaied is the exclusive agent of many of the world's leading brands as well as importing and producing various foodstuffs which are distributed to all cities and villages in Libya . The company is interested in obtaining exclusive agencies of international brands in the field of food producers. The Mission also met with various realities operating in large-scale distribution.