The Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Salama Al-Ghweil, stated that Libya and Turkey are linked to economic integration because Libya needs a lot of reconstruction in terms of services and technology, and Turkey has the experience and scientific progress in that.
Last year, Al-Ghweil estimated the cost of reconstruction projects in Libya at about 500 billion dinars, which is equivalent to 111 billion dollars.
He said: “It is important for Turkish-Libyan relations to be characterized by integration, whether in the fields of education, trade, economy, service sector, health, infrastructure, roads or energy.”
Libya also constitutes an outlet for many African countries and enjoys a strategic geographical location, while Turkish industries need markets, which makes Libyan-Turkish integration unlimited.
He said that there is great potential when it comes to promoting integration between the countries of the north and south of the Mediterranean.
Al-Ghweil added that the countries of the south have natural resources, geographical locations, consumer culture and their need for Turkish goods, and the Libyan government is seeking to benefit from Turkey’s experience.
He continued by saying that there are many things in common between Libya and Turkey, which gives the Libyan-Turkish relations special importance, as we yearn to see Libya like Turkey in terms of infrastructure, development and an effective role in the world.
Al-Ghweil stressed the need to revive the contracts signed between Libya and Turkish companies, and most of these projects are in the fields of energy, airports, hospitals, transportation and housing.
He pointed out that Libya is the country most qualified to become a transit point for the largest trade movement in the Middle East, citing Libya’s geographical location and its long coastline.
Al-Ghweil stressed that Libya did not benefit from the rise in global oil prices due to political divisions, the lack of a real will to reunite the country, and the attempts of many political parties to seek power.
He clarified that Libya needs 100 billion dollars as an initial cost for the reconstruction of its infrastructure.
Adapted from Anadolu Agency