by Vanessa Tomassini –
TRIPOLI. This afternoon was held in the Libyan capital, the inaugural event of the Italian-Libyan Business Development Association (ILBDA). Over 100 between personalities and important entrepreneurs and Government officials, both Italian and Libyan, attending ceremony hosted by the beautiful setting of Al-Waddan hotel, few steps from the Italian Embassy in Tripoli.
In spite of political stalemate, Tripoli today appears as a delightful town, eager to return to life, the shopping streets of the coastal city are enlivened by lights and colours full of boutique and cafés, but above all by young people who try to forget the past, looking with confidence towards the future. It is at this exactly historical moment that ILBDA borns, with the aim of giving new life to the bilateral relationships between the 2 countries, undisputed protagonists of the Mediterranean.
“The association – explained President Sandro Fratini – is to be seen as a meeting place for the priority needs of people and a Nation that has faithfully embraced the reconstruction and challenge of cultural and social growth, with the best that can offer Italy, even today among the first seven nations of the post-industrial era”. The Libyan deputy president of the association, Ashraf Tulty, has anticipated a series of events that will involve both Italian entrepreneurs and their Libyan colleagues, bringing together Italian know-how and expertise with the needs and demands of the Libyan counterpart. “We will meet again in Tripoli on July 5, 2018, for a Commercial Economic Forum in which several Italian companies from different sectors will be protagonists”-said Mr. Tulty.
Attending the ceremony also many special guests: the Italian Ambassador to Libya, Giuseppe Perrone, the deputy president of the Government of the National Accord (GNA), Ahmed Maeteeq and Chaouki Kalid, the first member of the Italian Parliament from Maghreb, the GNA deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Loutfi Moghraby, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Abdulbari Shinbaro, Deputy Minister of Education, Mohammed el-Zwei and the Director of Foreign Media, Dr. Lamia Zlinten. For the High Council of State, Abdul Rahman Shater. Intervened also Nuri Mustafa Serraj, president of the Libyan Businessman Council.
Among the prominent companies, Salah A. Ben Ali of the National Oil Company (NOC) and for the General Electric Company of Libya (GECOL), Osama Abeidi. Many private Libyan companies including Global Air, Artech, Mobiliaart, Dolphin for Gasoil and Al Sahl Group. Among the Italian ones: Cavagna, Sideralba and Emmegi. Present also representatives of the municipalities of Tripoli and the mayor of Zliten.
