The MÜSİAD Libya Branch was opened with the participation of MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı and a high-level protocol delegation. Within the scope of the program, the MÜSİAD Libya Business Forum, B2B meetings and talks on economic activities were held.
The MÜSİAD Libya Branch was inaugurated with the participation of MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı, Türkiye's Ambassador to Tripoli Kenan Yılmaz, the Libyan delegation headed by Libyan Minister of Economy Muhammad Al-Hawij, MÜSİAD Board Members and representatives of the Libyan business world. Sharing his assessments at the MÜSİAD Libya Opening Program, President Asmalı emphasized that Türkiye stands for peace and stability in Libya.
"MÜSİAD is ready to cooperate with Libyan NGOs in every field"
Recalling that MÜSİAD is an effective civil society organization in humanitarian and commercial diplomacy, President Asmalı said, "MÜSİAD is ready to cooperate in every field not only with business people but also with Libyan civil society organizations for the stability and prosperity of Libya."
President Mahmut Asmalı continued his remarks as follows:
"Our greatest wish is that lasting peace and political stability be achieved and preserved in Libya. We can carry out very strong projects shoulder to shoulder with the friendly and brotherly Libyan people. As an international civil society organization effective in humanitarian and commercial diplomacy, MÜSİAD is ready to cooperate in every field not only with business people but also with Libyan civil society organizations for the stability and prosperity of Libya. From education to culture, from tourism to health, from media to technology, we can do groundbreaking work through cooperation in many fields. Libya is the largest country in Africa in terms of discovered oil reserves. For this reason, it is very important that Türkiye's economic experience be carried to Libya, its neighbour across the sea. Despite Libya's economic and strategic importance, it cannot be said that Türkiye is currently represented at a sufficient level in the country in terms of civil society and commercial networks. Yet the primary address of Libyan business people and opinion leaders is Türkiye. The opening of a branch in Libya by a strong and civil commercial organization such as MÜSİAD is important in terms of remedying many shortcomings. The Libyan market is at the same time the gateway to Africa. Provided that certain fundamental problems are resolved, it is highly likely that Libya will become a logistics centre in the future so that Türkiye can produce more strongly. Libya provides easy access to all the countries of Africa. Its location in a geographical position close to Europe and to our country further increases Libya's strategic importance. It should not be forgotten that there is an ancient friendship of more than 500 years between Türkiye and Libya. As MÜSİAD, we will strengthen this friendship even further through our commercial relations."
"For us, Libya is the gateway to Africa"
Stating that Libya is seen as a gateway to Africa for MÜSİAD and Türkiye, MÜSİAD Libya President Murtaza Karanfil made the assessment, "Commercially too, the Libya-Türkiye relationship is exemplary in its strength."
In his speech, Karanfil made the following statements:
"Our friendship and brotherhood with Libya today goes back five centuries. History is the closest witness to how we extended a hand to one another and supported one another in our most difficult days. It has rarely been seen that such a friendship, in historical, political, social and military terms, has been granted to any other two countries. Commercially too, the Libya-Türkiye relationship is exemplary in its strength. Just as we learned and perfected the provision of contracting services abroad in the geography of Libya, Libya too has succeeded together with us in opening the closed doors of global trade. Libya has many gaps that have been neglected since the past and left incomplete because its potential was not utilized. With all our sincerity, we are ready to close these gaps and to remedy these shortcomings. I would like to underline that we have the capability to accomplish all this work for the Libyan people. For us, Libya means Africa, it means the gateway to Africa. We carry out our work with an understanding that considers the supreme interests of two countries that wish to walk the road together, to win together and to succeed together, and that never, ever chases short-term interests. Because the essence of our relations with Libya is our sincere feeling of brotherhood. Today our trade volume stands at USD 4 billion, and we as the Turkish business world believe that we can raise it to the level of USD 10 billion, because we believe in Libya and we trust in Libya's potential. The finest indicator that we always stand by our brotherly country Libya is today's opening of our MÜSİAD Branch. and the interest our business people have shown in Libya. MÜSİAD, which as an association of independent and non-aligned business people sharing the same values aims to contribute to the material and spiritual development of our country in a spirit of unity and solidarity, with more than 12 thousand members, is to ensure that we rise together by developing cooperation at the highest level with all the friendly and brotherly countries with which we share common values, such as Libya. Thus this step we have taken in the light of these lofty principles, that is, the fact that we are opening the MÜSİAD Libya Branch, is the strongest indicator that we have moved to the action phase."
Following the MÜSİAD Libya Opening Ceremony, MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı and the MÜSİAD delegation came together with Libyan Minister of Economy Muhammad Al-Hawij, Libyan Minister of Industry and Minerals Ahmet Ebu İsa and the accompanying Libyan delegation, and evaluated the strengthening of bilateral commercial relations and the steps to be taken in this field.
"Türkiye has always stood by Libya in difficult moments"
Attending the program held after the opening program with the participation of Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe and cabinet members, President Asmalı shared information on MÜSİAD's activities and projects.
Prime Minister Dibeybe, for his part, pointed to the common history and cultural ties of Türkiye and Libya and emphasized that every facility would be provided to business people wishing to trade in the region. Stating that the gathering which brought Turkish and Libyan business people together enabled the development of communication between the two countries, Dibeybe said that this development "created a genuine commercial bridge." Recalling that Türkiye has always stood by Libya in difficult moments, Dibeybe said that he welcomed this platform with happiness and satisfaction and that as the government they would provide the necessary support for this beginning. Describing Türkiye as a brotherly and partner country, Dibeybe also said, "Türkiye has recorded very great advances over the past years. We too want to apply in our own country this development that Türkiye has achieved over the years and this experience it has gained during this development process." Stating that they aim to develop Libya in many fields such as banking, infrastructure and industry and to make it open to investment, Dibeybe said that in this context they would provide support for the necessary funds to be given to Turkish and Libyan business people. Pointing to the advances Türkiye has made in the fields of food and health, Dibeybe called on Libyan business people to be in cooperation with their Turkish counterparts. In addition, Dibeybe, who said that a stable and steady environment is needed for trade and investment, stated that his country is advancing step by step towards this situation.
MÜSİAD President Mahmut Asmalı subsequently came together with business people at a dinner held within the scope of the MÜSİAD Libya program with the participation of Türkiye's Ambassador to Tripoli Kenan Yılmaz and Tripoli Mayor Ibrahim Al-Khalifi.
The MÜSİAD Libya Business Forum was held with broad participation
Within the scope of the MÜSİAD Libya Opening Program, the MÜSİAD Libya Business Forum, at which B2B meetings were also held, was organized. Within the scope of the program, Turkish and Libyan business people came together and held consultations in the field of trade.
MÜSİAD Vice Presidents Davut Altunbaş and Soner Meşe, MÜSİAD International Organization Commission Chairman Hıfsı Soydemir, MÜSİAD Export Development Commission Chairman Abdülkadir Sıcakyüz, MÜSİAD Export Development Commission Vice Chairman Halit Kerim, MÜSİAD Machinery Sector Board Chairman İsmail Somalı, MÜSİAD Sakarya President İsmail Filizfidanoğlu and MÜSİAD business people attended the program.
Meanwhile, within the framework of the Libya program, the MÜSİAD delegation in Tripoli visited the 48th International Tripoli Fair in Libya and carried out examinations.
