The Commercial Section of the Embassy of Malta in Tripoli, which is also the representative office of Malta Enterprise in Libya, has intensified its efforts to assist and facilitate trade promotion between Malta and Libya.

Set up in 2000, and currently led by commercial counsellor Noel Hollier, the section serves as a focal point for Maltese companies interested in penetrating the Libyan market and also introduces and promotes benefits and advantages offered by Malta to international companies operating in Libya.

During 2008, there was a noticeable increase in the commercial office’s efforts to strengthen its network and activities at a time when the Libyan economy is passing through great changes.

This offers good prospects of an expansion of two-way trade and investment between Malta and Libya, the Department of Information said.

To date the Malta Enterprise office in Tripoli has organised over 40 trade missions to Libya and co-organised a Libyan-led trade mission to Malta together with the Libyan Business Council. This event focused on the building and construction sector and over 70 one-to-one meetings were organised during the mission.

During 2008, no fewer than 300 specific information requests from Maltese and Libyan businessmen were received and a further 150 detailed requests were also made regarding specialised sectors. Besides, the Malta Enterprise office carried out more than 20 specific market research assignments for Maltese companies.