Misrata Chamber Targets Trade and Investment Partnerships with Pakistan

The chairman of the Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Fathi Al-Turki, said yesterday that the Libyan city aims to turn its cooperation with Pakistan into concrete trade and investment partnerships. He made the remark in an exclusive statement to Libya Herald following a meeting at the chamber’s headquarters with the Pakistani ambassador, Mumtaz Hussain, and his accompanying delegation.

Talks Focus on Economic Cooperation and Investment

The discussions, chaired by Al-Turki, centred on ways to strengthen economic and trade ties. Both sides explored opportunities for joint investment and partnership between Libyan and Pakistani companies, with the goal of boosting bilateral trade and opening new avenues for the private sector in each country.

Al-Turki told Libya Herald that the meeting was part of the chamber’s broader efforts to deepen economic and trade links with friendly nations. He said it aimed to create fresh opportunities for Libya’s private sector to benefit from cooperation and joint investment with Pakistani firms.

Practical Measures Discussed: Visas, Labour and Finance

According to Al-Turki, the talks addressed several practical issues designed to support bilateral trade. These included streamlining visa procedures for businesspeople, organising the recruitment of Pakistani labour for Libyan companies, and resolving difficulties related to financial transfers and the opening of letters of credit.

Encouraging Pakistani Business in Libya and a Possible Maritime Route

The two sides also discussed encouraging Pakistani companies to take part in trade exhibitions and facilitating the exchange of economic delegations. Al-Turki emphasised that the chamber welcomes Pakistani businesspeople and companies into the Libyan market and encourages them to seize investment opportunities across various sectors. He underlined the importance of creating a conducive environment for direct ties between the business communities of both countries, which would help develop trade and investment partnerships.

Another topic was the possibility of launching a direct maritime route between Libya and Pakistan. If implemented, such a route would ease the transport of goods and the flow of products between the two markets, increase trade exchange and strengthen economic relations.

The meeting also covered ways to coordinate official visits and economic delegations, as well as how to boost the presence of Libyan and Pakistani companies at trade exhibitions organised by each country. These efforts, participants said, would showcase available products and services and allow the exploration of cooperation opportunities in areas of mutual interest.

Call for Practical Steps and Closing Ceremony

Al-Turki stressed the importance of moving beyond discussions to practical steps that would enable businesspeople and companies to explore available opportunities and build sustainable partnerships. He highlighted the chamber’s role in fostering communication between the local business community and its international counterparts, as well as in facilitating trade and investment relationships that serve mutual interests.

The visit ended with a tour of the chamber’s administrative building for the Pakistani ambassador, followed by an exchange of commemorative gifts between the two parties.

Attending the meeting were the Management Committee’s deputy chairman, Abdulmajid Al-Tahir Balaou; committee member Ihab Al-Hadi Al-Owaib; the director of the Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Office, Yousef Abdulqadir Abushiba; and the director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Misrata, Hussein Al-Saadawi.