Canada-Libya Chamber of Commerce (CLCC) To Establish Trade Office for Bilateral Trade and Education

OTTAWA, Ontario and TRIPOLI, Libya, March 12, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canada-Libya Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the establishment of an office to support trade between Canada and Libya.

The creation of the CLCC is in direct response to the need for strong cultural and economic ties between Canada andLibya. Sara Bronfman, a well-known philanthropist, has been appointed as the Chamber's inaugural President and Basit Igtet, development expert and Libyan national, is appointed as Chairman.

Igtet stated, "Canada is developing good relations with Libya and we feel that Canadian corporations, specifically engineering and infrastructure firms are uniquely positioned to establish trade between Libya and North Americas."Mr. Igtet further stated "Canadians have a long standing tradition of supporting trade initiatives that encourage social welfare and development." We are proud to support trade between Libya and Canada and feel that this Chamber will be a great success for both Libya and Canada.

Mr. Igtet is noted as President and co-founder of the Independent Libya Foundation (www.inlifo.eu) and also served as a Special Envoy for the Libyan people and their transitional government. Mr. Igtet was a significant force in Libya's international recognition and facilitated direct humanitarian support for the Libyan people during and after the revolution.

Canada recently completed a trade delegation to Libya where Trade Minister Fast led a coalition of Canadian firms wishing to develop ties with Libya. The Canada-Libya Chamber of Commerce is an NGO that is focused on the following mission statement:

LOCAL: to develop real entrepreneurs with ethical principles and encourage them to be real producers and individuals who add value to the community through being active in building the country. We must also raise the level of business to meet expectations of the international market in terms of quality and transparency and encourage healthy competition.

INTERNATIONAL: to ensure that international partners have the quality and the principles of business that we require and that they are willing to contribute to the building of a productive society.

The Canada-Libya chamber of commerce will focus on the development of the following areas:

1. Management
2. Business models
3. Participation and partnership
4. Control and observation

The initial CLCC directive board is comprised:

Basit Igtet- Libyan National, President of the Independent Libya Foundation

Sara Bronfman- Recognized philanthropist and development expert

Richard H. Griffiths- Canadian national, Diplomatic Advisor and international affairs expert

The Chamber of Commerce will have its initial base of operations in Ottawa, Canada and will soon be opening offices in Tripoli, Libya.

The newly established chamber will begin a membership reach out to invite suitable Canadian corporations to join through membership. In addition, a planned micro conference on Libya-Canada will be planned to support Chamber awareness and activities

About the CLCC
The Canada-Libya Chamber of Commerce (CLCC) was founded on February 17, 2012 (the anniversary of the Libyan revolution) to support and encourage Canadian businesses in Libya while promoting, developing and encouraging ethical business practices. The CLCC is currently based in Ottawa, Canada and will be opening offices in Tripoli,Libya in 2012.

CANADA-LIBYA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.canada-libyachamber.org

Trade Mission to Libya (April 2012)

Trade Mission to Libya (April 2012)

We are organising a small multi-sector trade mission to Libya from 23 - 26 April 2012. The mission will be in line with OIL & GAS LIBYA 2012 exhibition in Tripoli, to allow mission participants to attend the exhibition as well. There will be meetings with officials, key personals, Libyan private companies etc.

I will lead the mission which will visit Tripoli.

All companies, firms and organisations are invited to take part of the mission which is open to all. If you are interest, or anyone you might know, to participate or require further details please contact us at: email info@soclibya.com, Telephone: +44 208 9878450 or Mobile: +44 777 4013043

Looking forward to hearing from you

Thank you

Tarek Alwan

Libya resumes offshore exploration-NOC

Libya has resumed offshore exploration for the first time since the end of Muammar Gaddafi’s era, and the work is being carried out at a bloc operated by Italy’s Eni, the National Oil Corporation NOC) said on Monday.

“The National Oil Corporation announces the resumption of exploration activity in the maritime area next to Tripoli at bloc MN41 belonging to Italian company Eni,” said a statement on the NOC website. Arabic version (http://bit.ly/xnqAC4)

The bloc is about 100 km (62.5 miles) from Tripoli, it said.

NOC said on Feb. 27 it was resuming onshore exploration work.

Libyan stock exchange says to re-open on March 15

Libya's stock exchange is to re-open on March 15, just over a year after the country's conflict forced it to close down, the head of the bourse said on Sunday.

The exchange had previously said it would open at the end of February, but General Manager Ahmed Karoud said that was pushed back because of electricity outages at the bourse and delays in receiving regulatory filings from the listed companies.

The re-launch of the exchange will be a symbol that Libya is open for business again after the conflict that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. It is also likely to attract interest from foreign investors seeking opportunities in the new Libya.

"We will resume trading on the Libyan Stock Market on March 15, after nearly a year and a month of being closed," Karoud told a news conference.

"The Libyan Stock market will work with a new image," he said. "For three years there was no investment fund set up in Libya, and there is no presence of foreign investors. In the next phase there will be a diversity in ... the Libyan equities market."

He said the market would re-open with five listed companies, down from the 13 who traded on the bourse before the conflict. He said the reduction was because some of the firms had not yet met the exchange's regulatory requirements.

In an interview with Reuters last month, Karoud said the board was planning to set up a Sharia-compliant Islamic finance fund. Such funds tend to attract interest from wealthy investors in the Gulf.

Source: Reuters

Dubai Chamber to launch Libya Strategic Investment Forum in May

Move is part of the expansion plans into the Libyan market

Seeks stronger trade ties and explores opportunities for Dubai businesses in the promising Libyan market

Forum will host parallel sessions on infrastructure, construction, tourism, hospitality, oil and gas, and finance

302 Libyan partnership companies currently operating in Dubai

Dubai, UAE: In order to explore the growth prospects offered by Libya's redevelopment process and as part of its efforts to enhance trade ties with the African country, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced organizing of a major Libya Strategic Investment Forum to be held in Dubai on May 7.

The announcement came on the heels of a Dubai Chamber delegation's participation in the recent TEDx Tripoli conference held in the Libyan capital which saw a large turnout of business leaders, decision makers and entrepreneurs from the world over. The high level delegation was led by H.E. Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber.

H.E. Al Ghurair stated that Libya is a promising destination for Dubai's business community as the country's redevelopment process offers excellent opportunities for Dubai Chamber members to use their expertise and benefit from the growth prospects offered by the country's trade, infrastructural, and financial services sectors as well as to increase their competitiveness in the Libyan market.

The Chairman of Dubai Chamber informed that the Libya Strategic Investment Forum will be attended by high profile government officials, dignitaries and business leaders from the UAE and Libya and will host parallel sessions on infrastructure and construction, tourism and hospitality, oil and gas, and finance and also a presentation on how to do business in Libya.

"As part of our efforts to explore new and lucrative markets for our members, Dubai Chamber has been closely monitoring the economic situation in Libya and has also been active in gathering the necessary information on the potential business in the Libyan market," added H.E. Al Ghurair.

He further stressed that Dubai Chamber has established strong relationship with the Libyan Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture and has learnt that the country has not changed its investment law and is giving priority to UAE businesses while also attracting them to get involved in the rebuilding process of Libya.

On their part, the Libyan officials expressed their desire to emulate the example of Dubai Chamber and to benefit from its experience of developing partnerships with strategic global chambers and their members, its liaison with world chambers bodies in implementing best business practices while also exploring new markets for its members.

They also showed their interest in adopting the successful examples of Dubai Chamberin honing the skills of its workforce, its work management ethics and best business policies which they said can contribute to improve the performance of Libyan Chamber during the country's transition period.

Last month, a Dubai Chamber team accompanied the UAE delegation headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when the Libyan officials expressed their desire to establish strong economic ties with Dubai and to offer all facilities to the Emirate's investors in Libya.

Dubai Chamber is also extending its support and endorsement to the Libya Infrastructure & Rebuild Conference which will be held in June in Dubai. The event will provide a major showcase of various industry expertise reflecting the importance of the vital sectors to Libya's economy as well as the essential contacts necessary for the participating companies to secure a part in Libya's economic development programme.

Currently, there are 302 Libyan partnership firms registered with Dubai Chamber and operating in Dubai as the Emirate's non-oil trade with Libya in the first five months of 2011 stood at AED 1.3 billion while trade with the country valued at AED 7.5 billion in 2010 and AED 8.1 billion in 2009.

Source: Zawya (Press Release)

Martyr Square, Tripoli, Libya. 17th February 2012 as witnessed by me and...

Libya: A Market of Opportunities

This is the full interview I made with Global Trader where I talked about the opportunities Libya will be offering and of course the challenges but generally, I am very optimistic about the future of Libya

"FEW people have better first-hand knowledge of the business landscape in Libya than Tarek Alwan. The 38-year-old managing director of SOC Libya Ltd may live in London, where

his company is headquartered, but he’s a Libyan national who has been back to

Tripoli twice since the fall of Gaddafi. And it’s that level of local expertise and empathy with the market which he believes gives SOC Libya the edge. The company, an independent advisory and services consultancy that assists and supports international companies entering the Libyan market, was formed in 2008 by Libyan, English and German professionals, and also has a Tripoli office.

Global Trader spoke to Tarek in December, while he was in Tripoli, where he said he found the city “much safer than expected.”

“Things are improving gradually and it’s amazing to see people just getting on with their lives. The new interim government has already been formed and it is slowly progressing,” he said. “There are a few gunshots here and there by overenthusiastic young fighters, but measures are being taken to stop that.” Tarek, of course, has seen Libya in all its many hues – from being a land of limitless opportunities to one cowering under the tyranny of a dictator and his sons. There were times when British companies found it impossible to do business there, followed by times when they were enticed by promises of it being the new Klondike. Now the country stands at another important crossroads, but Tarek is cautiously optimistic that it will take the right direction and fulfill its potential.

“With all our natural resources and the skills and education of the young population, we can be the most prosperous nation in Africa,” he says. “You can see it happening now, but it will take time.” The British government, through UK Trade and Investment, is encouraging companies to enter the Libyan market before rivals from other countries fill the vacuum. Tarek agrees that that there are many opportunities across a whole range of sectors, with health being one of the most promising.

“There is a great need for hospitals and medical supplies, along with construction, because of what happened to the cities during the conflict,” he said.

“Oil and gas, as you would expect, is still the main driver of Libya’s economy, but there are opportunities, too, in infrastructure, communications, IT, education and services. In fact Libya requires everything from A-Z.” But quite apart from the fact that his company is specifically designed to facilitate trade between foreign companies and Libya, Tarek believes that it would be foolish for Brits to enter the market without doing the best research.

“Unless British companies get help and assistance, and perhaps link up with local partners, it can be very challenging, costly and time-consuming, and ultimately doomed to failure. My advice is to do lots of preparation work and decide what are the best options, either by forming a partnership or a joint venture. Preparation work can include establishing contacts with end users in the country.” And once there, Tarek is confident that British people will find that reconciliation rather than recrimination is the order of the day on the streets. “Generally the mood is good, with all Libyans eager to restore harmony, in spite of some of the former divisions, although this is not going to happen completely overnight,” he said.

● SOC Libya provides the following services: Finding the right business partners, promoting international companies, registering companies, opening branches or representative offices, due diligences, arranging business missions to Libya, appointments setting, drafting & negotiating contracts, implanting agreement and contracts, market research & analysis, assisting business Improvement, ongoing support, consulting on law issues, regulations, tax and legal opinions. Visit www.soclibya.com/

Libya seeks UK firms to develop oil sector and construction industry

I am please to announce that the Guardian Newspaper agreed to my requests in which I altered them about the incorrect assumption of me allowing "alcohol" in Libya. The newspaper sent an apology and amended the article as follows

Libya began touting itself as the next Dubai to UK investors, as the country's government said it would reward its "friends" when it begins selling off lucrative oil contracts.

Representatives of the country's National Transitional Council called City executives to a central London hotel to drum up British interest in the "massive opportunities" on offer in Libya.

Oil companies, and their lawyers, have kept a close eye on Libya's vast reserves, which accounted for more than 95% of the country's exports before the popular uprising against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Nuri Berruien, head of Libya's National Oil Company, said that the country's government would "favour our friends" when awarding new contracts to its 46bn barrels of untapped oil reserves – the largest in Africa and eighth largest in the world. But he said it was unlikely that any new contracts would be granted before an elected government takes over from the NTC.

The transitional government has said existing contracts with oil firms, including BP, Shell, Eni and Total, will be honoured unless it finds evidence of corruption in the awarding of the contracts under the former regime.

Berruien said Libya's daily oil production, which stands at 600,000 barrels, is expected to hit 800,000 by the end of the year and return to pre-war levels of 1.6m by the end of 2012. Virtually all of Libya's oil is exported.

Representatives of international oil groups were told the best way to exploit Libya's oil wealth is to go into partnership with a local operator. Under the country's laws foreign oil firms may own up to 65% in joint ventures with local operators.

Heritage Oil, the FTSE 250 oil exploration firm run by Tory donor and former mercenary Tony Buckingham, became the first new entrant into the Libyan oil market since the fall of Gaddaffi when it bought a 51% stake in Sahara Oil Services Holdings for $19m (£11.9m) last month.

This week the Guardian revealed that Buckingham appeared to have sought the assistance of would-be Conservative MP Christian Sweeting in getting a foothold in the country.

Tarek Alwan, managing director of SOC Libya, a consultancy set up to help international businesses enter the Libyan market, said the north African country offered "vast opportunities" not just oil and gas, but also construction.

• This article was amended on 24 November 2011 to remove a quote which was misattributed to Tarek Alwan.

Libya open for business but obstacles ahead

When Omar's boss called him from abroad to tell him he wanted to come back Tripoli to restart his manufacturing business, the Libyan employee joked to his foreign manager the visit would just be personal.

"I said 'Boss, you would be spending all your time with me, there is no one to do business with'," Omar, who would only give his first name, said. "I told him to wait."

Omar's boss, like many other international businessmen, is keen to return to Libya to get his venture back up and running after eight months of civil war ousted Muammar Gaddafi from 42 years in power.

But in a nation lacking security and bristling with weapons, their re-entry may not be swift or easy.

Within days, Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib will name a new government that will have the tough task of asserting the National Transitional Council's (NTC) control of a fractured country, reviving the economy and introducing democracy.

It will have to build institutions from scratch, sustain the revival of Libya's oil industry and disarm militias.

"It's a rather dark picture that is to be painted right now. Offices have been looted in the conflict, it's not clear who is in charge, who you need to speak with," said one European businessman who returned to Libya a few weeks ago after being evacuated during the conflict.

"I have tried to go find my old clients to get money that was owed, but how can they pay me back? Services aren't back up and running, banks are still limited in their operations."

Post-war Libya is also grappling with a banknote shortage.

The businessman had visited his old office and home, but like many other foreigners in Libya now, preferred to stay in the secure compound of one of Tripoli's plush hotels.

"There is no police, no order right now," he said. "But I am hopeful things will get better."

Bringing unruly and heavily armed militias under government control is a daunting challenge. Many foreign workers are adopting a wait-and-see approach until stability is restored.

"The economy is suffering from a lack of funds and the spread of weapons is one of the reasons for this with regard to tourism and foreign companies," Tripoli Islamist militia leader Abdel Hakim Belhadj told a seminar at Tripoli university.

At Tripoli Towers, one of the capital's main office blocks, the bulk of businesses operating are Libyan. The few foreign airlines that fly into Libya have re-opened their doors, but corridors are quiet.

At a nearby block of offices, the lack of foreigners is also evident. Outside a Libyan man carried his shopping in one hand and an AK-47 assault rifle in the other.

"This place used to be buzzing," said a Western security adviser. "Now the main thing you notice is the lack of expats."

Foreign faces can be seen in hotel lobbies but their visits are fleeting for now. "There seem to be more security guys here than actual businessmen," a second security contractor joked.

Neither contractor expected a significant return of foreigners before the new year at the earliest. "Moving their families back will take even longer," one said.

Jack Mullan, director of risk consultancy Morelia Investments, said clashes between rival militias had deterred foreign businesses from rushing back to Libya.

Last week, heavy fighting between local armed groups killed several people on the outskirts of Tripoli.

British airline bmi has cancelled plans to resume direct flights from London to Tripoli this month and said on Friday there was no firm date for restarting the service.

"The poor security environment would have to improve before investors return. The current militia in-fighting would have to be resolved to soothe many investors' concerns. Otherwise many Fortune 500 companies will not return to Libya," said Mullan, who also cited an unpredictable regulatory environment.

"HUGE OPPORTUNITIES"

Yet with the civil war over and a government in the making, foreign executives are weighing the opportunities against the risks in an oil and gas-producing nation with the resources to pay for urgent reconstruction and healthcare needs.

Several Western nations have sent trade delegations, no big winners have emerged yet in the race for contracts.

"The government has to be named, there needs to be structure before business can be done," a diplomatic source said.

Tarek Alwan, managing director of London-based consulting firm SOC Libya, said he had been approached by numerous companies seeking guidance on how to enter the Libyan market.

"We have noticed a greater degree of demand to enter the Libyan market. There are huge opportunities in Libya in construction, infrastructure, IT, tourism," he said.

"My advice is that it is still a bit too early to do business in Libya. My advice is that they should be doing their homework and preparations."

One company that was quick to make a move was Britain's Heritage Oil which spent $19.5 million (12.3 million pounds) buying a controlling stake in Benghazi-based Sahara Oil Services in October, in a deal that was denied by Libya's National Oil Company.

NTC officials have said existing contracts with foreign firms would be honoured, although those found to have been awarded corruptly might be reviewed.

But major new concessions are unlikely to be awarded until the incoming transitional government has given way to an elected administration, scheduled to take place in eight months.

In the meantime, restocking offices, finding new staff to replace foreigners who fled, and in some cases getting striking workers back to work is key. Workers at Libyan oil producer Waha Oil, which pumped around a quarter of pre-war output, downed tools for weeks until their demands for a new chairman were met.

"Let's try to get things started," Libyan businessman Amr Azzabi said, "And then make changes as we go along."

By Marie-Louise Gumuchian from Reuters

(Additional reporting by Oliver Holmes and Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Alistair Lyon)

Libya –The Future 2 conference (Monday 14 Nov 2011 – London)

The event was a part of the dialogue started in September at the initial ‘Libya –The Future’ conference and will focus on how British industry & businesses can help Libya rebuild their country.

The first keynote speaker was Edward Oakden, managing director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Sectors Group, who recently returned from a trade mission to Libya. He outlined how UKTI can assist and support UK businesses entering or re-entering the Libyan market.

The second keynote speaker was Tarek Alwan, Managing Director of SOC Libya Ltd, Who also was in Libya recently and planning to return soon, he gave a presentation about Oil and Gas

Robin Lamb, director general of the Libyan British Business Council (LBBC), gave details of the LBBC trade mission to Libya and the work of LBBC to promote British Businesses into Libya.

There was also be a video conference call to Tripoli to Sami Zaptia MD of ‘Know Libya’ (an Anglo-Libyan company) who was talking directly on progress of getting back to business and ways to facilitate & establish UK business entry and establish local partnerships.

The speaker panel Identified the business sectors who would need to be involved in the rebuilding of Libya in the immediate and medium term future including infrastructure, construction, communications, medical – hospitals, oil refineries, transport services, finance & business systems.

Libya – The Future 2 discussed areas for medium to long term partnership for example further oil exploration, tourism development, retail & service sectors.

Libya – The Future 2 Conference was the second in a series of events being organised by Foley Associates to track Libyan progress and focus on industry sectors. The third event in the series will be a two-day conference, workshop & exhibition showcasing international companies takes place 13-14 February 2012.

More info at www.libya-conference.co.uk

Contact Stephen Foley on 07966 200895 or 01706 378827 info@libya-conference.co.uk

BBC Radio Interview

This is the interview which BBC Radio "World Today" conducted with me regarding business opportunities in new Libya

Pre existing and new business opportunities in Libya

The fall of the Gaddafi regime in August 2011 marks the end of a dictatorship era in Libya.

Libya is country with a population of just over 6 million and has Africa's largest oil reserves, with 46 billion barrels of oil and 54 trillion cubic of gas.

The country has up to $170 billion worth of frozen assets abroad alone. After the removal of Gaddafi and the destruction caused to most of its infrastructure by the war, the country requires a near complete rebuild from housing, schools, hospitals to services etc.

Libya is expected to offer more than $200 billion in investment opportunities over the next 10 years.

We, at SOC Libya, are keen to assist, help and support international companies to start doing their “home-work” to prepare for the huge opportunities Libya will be offering and at the same time, we are offering our services for companies with existing contracts, signed during Gaddafi era, which will be honoured, to return to Libya and resume operations.

To speak to us on how we could help you, please contact us at:-

SOC Libya Ltd. E: info@soclibya.com. T: +44 208 208 3120. M: ++44 777 4013043

Opportunities in New Libya

Despite all the troubles in Libya at the moment and how businesses have been greatly affected. We strongly believe that international businesses will not face unique, exceptional or overwhelming challenges in a new Libya. Libya will offer new and great business opportunities for all to grab in all sectors, the country will simply require total rebuild. Talk to us now on how we could help you or your company to prepare for the next steps. SOC Libya Ltd - 111 Harp Island Close. London, NW10 0DQ. UK Tel: +44 208208 3120 - Mobile: +44 777 40 13043 Email: info@soclibya.com - Website www.soclibya.com

We will always be ONE - FREE LIBYA

Tripoli Libya 1964

THE DATES OF AL JUFRAH DESERT - documentary by Walter Bencini

Libyan government lending to foreign states

Feb 9 (Reuters) - A Libyan government document obtained by
Reuters showed the oil exporter is owed over $3 billion dollars
by foreign governments after handing out dozens of loans that
underscore its wealth and its diplomatic clout. the document,
which was drafted by the Libyan General Peoples' Committee for
International Cooperation, or foreign ministry.

The documents also states that the following countries have
fully repaid loans to Libya: Hungary, Poland, Benin, Vietnam,
Panama, Ghana, Algeria, Uganda, Gabon

* Amounts in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated
** Loans not yet due for repayment

To see full article please see this link http://reut.rs/h1HvHz

New Mobile Services in Libya (LIBYAPHONE)

Libya Telecom and Technology (LTT) announced during a ceremony held on Monday, 31/01/2011 the launch of new service called LIBYAPHONE, the ceremony was attended by a large number of Executive Directors, Director Generals, members of Board of Directors, Chairmen, Engineers and Technicians of Libya’s Telecom Sector.

This makes LTT a third mobile business in Libya after Libyana and Al Madar, and it operates its network by a new local mobile code (095).


This new service aims to provide mobile phone services enhanced with high Internet service and applications for the fast growing market sector in Libya. The company’s previous experience with internet service through the two networks the second generation and third generation allows it to expend and create such service.

More restrictions on multi entries visa to Libya

The Libyan authorities made it more difficult to obtain mutli visas to Libya and there are many rumors about the reason and none is proven. Some well-connected companies can still obtain visas but there fees increased more than 100%.

It started in Dec last year and we thought it will not last but we were wrong. Again no one knows when it will end. Last week I travelled to Libya and I could see a few passengers on the way in and back. The Libyan embassy in London receives less and less applications.

We are still monitoring the situation and we will keep you informed if any changes