Hal Mann International, the export ‘arm’ of Hal Mann Vella, exhibited at this year’s Libya Build 2007.

Held last May at the Tripoli International Fair Ground, this specialist exhibition for the construction industry in Libya was the fourth time this annual event has been held.

Exhibitors from around the world were comprised of companies in the construction, water technology, electricity, air conditioning, decoration, bathroom, marble and stone, paint, flooring and window and door sectors.

Admission to the exhibition, although restricted to trade and professional visitors, reached high attendance levels and included architects, engineers, owners of construction companies and officials from the relevant national departments.

Modern Libya is eager to join the international community; it is working hard to be the leading example of a new economy in Africa and is developing a new strategy for its existence and broadening the horizon of its future. In particular, Libya has great plans for its tourism sector and this, coupled with an expected rise in population over the next years means that huge investment is planned and starting to take place.

It is estimated that between 400,000 and 500,000 housing units have to be built to keep pace with rising population levels. Of course this will go alongside the improvement of other key elements such as transport, upgrading and expansion of ports and airports and hotel and construction projects. It was announced in the past weeks that Libya would be spending approximately US$12 billion on electricity alone in the next five years. This makes Libya one of the building and construction hotspots for the foreseeable future.

With major development projects already started and many more under study and near approval, Libya is proving to be an exciting location for building and construction.

Hal Mann International took part in the exhibition as the company is keen to build on the success of past projects carried out in Libya and take full advantage of its experience in the natural stone sector, and the strong links that exist between Malta and Libya.

Hal Mann International formed part of a select group of Maltese companies that took advantage of government assisted export schemes through the Malta Enterprise office.