A 25-strong delegation from Misurata visited Malta to explore the business environment and learn more about the opportunities the country offers, following a similar fact-finding mission organised by Malta Enterprise in April and in which 20 local companies had participated.
The delegation was led by the Misurata Local Council and comprised representatives from the Misurata Businessmen Council, the Misurata Commercial Chamber, the ports, airport and Free zone, as well as the university, fishing union and steel company.
In a meeting at Malta Enterprise, the delegates were briefed about the Maltese economy, with particular focus on those sectors that are being prioritised in the government’s strategy.
They were also given details about the role Malta Enterprise plays in facilitating trade and investment flows between the two neighbouring countries, as well as what assistance is available for Libyan enterprises interested in doing business in Malta.
A networking event was also jointly organised by Malta Enterprise and Transport Malta, where the delegation had the chance to meet various representatives of Maltese companies operating in the maritime and aviation industries, given that most of the delegates from Misurata hailed from these sectors.
Among those attending the meeting were representatives of companies that had participated in the business delegation to Misurata, who had the opportunity to follow up on the leads they had established at that time, when they had also viewed the operating environment at some of Libya’s major ports.
While in Malta, the delegation also met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who announced that Malta will be setting up a consulate in Misurata that will work to strengthen the country’s relationship with the Libyan city.
Other meetings were also held with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the General Retailers and Traders Union, the Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce, and the Maltese-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
The delegation’s visit is one of many initiatives being taken to strengthen the commercial ties between Malta and post-revolution Libya. Besides the business delegation to Misurata, other initiatives also included an official delegation led by the Minister of Finance, Economy, and Investment and the Minister for Fair Competition, Small Business and Consumers to Tripoli; the setting up of the Technical Committee for Trade and Investment in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Malta Enterprise and the General Board of Privatisation and Investment; as well as participation in the Libya Build Fair.