The British Libyan Business Association (BLBA). Today, I signed a memorandum of understanding with the Libyan Business Council (LBC). The LBC is the only legally recognised business council in Libya, in contrast to other business councils that operate as NGOs.
The MoU was signed at the LBC’s Tripoli headquarters by Jon Hancock, the Chairman of the BLBA, and Hisham Aldali, the new General Manager of the LBC. Present were Tarek Smuee, head of LBC’s Media and Public Relations, and Alex Breingan, CEO of the BLBA.
Welcoming the BLBA, Aldali said the LBC wants a strong relationship with the BLBA and its UK companies.
BLBA chairman Hancock said the LBC is essential to the BLBA, as the private sector is vital to Libya. He told the BLBA that it wants to assist the LBC and Libya in implementing its projects. Adding that over the last 6 months, the BLBA has engaged in activating projects across Libya.
The BLBA has delivered and continues to deliver in partnership with Libyan partners, and is here to meet Libyan companies’ and entities’ needs by linking them with UK partners. This, Hancock said, is because the BLBA is based and ever-present in Libya.
BLBA CEO Breingan said the BLBA was receiving positive signals from UK companies re-engaging with the Libyan market.
Smuee said that because the BLBA was on the ground, the LBC looked forward to some real projects. He said there were several projects across different sectors and looked forward to developing action plans for them.
The LBC also requested assistance for one of its members to export fish products to the UK. They were disappointed in the EU’s delay in inspecting the fish exporter’s factory, which was already exporting to Canada and the USA.
Hancock informed the LBC that a specialist British company that helps exporters meet UK standards will be visiting Tripoli soon. He concluded by saying that now is the time for action and delivery.
