Thirteen local companies were assisted by Malta Enterprise to participate in the Libya Healthcare Exhibition held at the Tripoli International Fair earlier this week.
While this is the ninth time that the fair has been held, this year’s edition was the first to be organised following the uprisings that characterized the past year and consequently presented various opportunities as Libya goes through a process of reconstruction.
The event, organised under the auspices of the Libyan Ministry of Health, is considered to be of strategic importance for companies engaged in healthcare in view of the extensive demand needed to sustain the Libyan healthcare sector.
Indeed, the fair provided a unique opportunity for the roughly 150 international exhibitors and thousands of visitors to establish direct communication with Libyan decision-makers in the healthcare sector to provide an insight on the current medical needs and planned projects.
Libyan Minister of Health Dr Fatima Hamroush and Malta’s Ambassador in Libya Victor Camilleri were among those who visited the stands of Maltese companies that operate in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical products and medical-related services, supply and provision of medical equipment, as well as contractors for hospitals and clinics and air ambulance services.
Malta Enterprise, which also participated in the fair to promote Malta as an ideal location for doing business, supported the companies as part of the various initiatives being taken to strengthen commercial ties between Malta and the new Libya.
Over the past months, Malta Enterprise and its Commercial Office in Libya have worked on the organisation of business delegations, both incoming and outgoing, with the support of the corporation’s counterparts in Libya, as well as participation in the Libya Build fair.
Earlier in the year, Malta Enterprise also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Board of Privatisation and Investment whereby the two parties agreed to step up their cooperation with a view towards facilitating trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
In the coming months, Malta Enterprise will be organising other business delegations to explore the business environment in Libya and assist local companies in establishing business links. Additionally, the corporation shall also seek to strengthen its presence in the country to boost the assistance it already provides on the ground.