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The African Development Bank has signed three technical assistance grant agreements with the government of Libya, reaffirming its commitment to the North African country. The agreements were signed in Tripoli, the Libyan Capital, on 21 November 2023, the first day of a consultation mission by an African Development Bank delegation led by Mrs Malinne Blomberg, deputy director general for the North Africa region and country manager for Libya.

The grants include $1m in emergency support which will be channelled through the United Nations Childrens Fund in collaboration with the Libyan government and used to procure much needed wash and hygiene kits and emergency materials for temporary learning spaces and rehabilitated classrooms. The supplies, which were swiftly arranged by the bank, became necessary following the Derna floods which devastated the eastern part of the country. The three parties to the agreement will make the funds speedily available for the worst-affected people, especially women and children.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mrs Blomberg expressed sympathy on behalf of the bank for the people of Libya in their recovery efforts following the floods.

Dr Khalid El Mabrouk, Libyas minister of finance, thanked the Bank for its prompt response. We appreciate the support of the Bank, namely the timeliness and efficiency demonstrated to approve the grants, he said. The partnership with the Bank has always been strong and instrumental in advancing the development agenda of the Libyan authorities, and we value the assistance of the Bank in preparing and delivering on projects of strategic importance to Libya.

Michele Servadei, the UNICEF Representative for Libya, said the funds would be a crucial part of the emergency response to the floods. Thanks to this support UNICEF will focus on safe water provision, hygiene promotion and water quality monitoring, as well as supplies for school reopenings and for the delivery of psychosocial services. I believe this is an important step of a very fruitful partnership between our two organisations, he said.

The two other technical assistance agreements draw on the Banks Middle-Income Technical Assistance Fund (MIC TAF). The first will support the Government in developing the first Food Security and Nutrition Strategy for Libya and strengthen the resilience of the food supply chain to external shocks such as climate change. The second is the result of engagements between the bank and Libyas Ministry of Finance to advance the governments public finance management reform agenda. It will enable the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (SI-IFMIS).

Mrs Blomberg reiterated the Banks commitment to Libya. She said, Improving the overall well-being and quality of life for the people of Libya through a strategic and sustainable approach to food is at the forefront of the Banks priorities; equally crucial is strengthening the public finance management capacity of the Government of Libya, through the digitalization of the national finances processes for further efficiency and transparency.

The delegation, which included Mrs Yasmine Eita, country programme officer; Mrs Kaouther Abderrahim, country economist for Libya; and Mr Ibrahim Abdel-Ati, blended finance officer, visited the country from 21 to 24 November 2023. During the mission, it held discussions with the Libyan government on the Banks proposed initiatives and projects for 2024.

Contact: Chawki Chahed, Communication and External Relations Department, media@afdb.org

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The African Development Bank, Libya strengthen cooperation, sign ... - ReliefWeb

Reviewing its work in this sector, Germanys GIZ reported that, in collaboration with partners, it has spearheaded initiatives in Libya to propel a circular economy of waste prioritising waste minimisation.

Circular economy GIZ explained that contrary to the linear economys approach of extraction, consumption and disposal, the circular economy promotes continuous usage and regeneration loops. Thus, this model champions waste reduction, material reuse and recycling.

Tunisia workshop for municipalities In this regard, GIZ reported that in September this year it supported representatives of Libyan and Tunisian municipalities to meet in Mahdia, Tunisia, to exchange insights at a workshop on how to foster a circular economy.

Best practice and joint long-term goals identified The primary focus at this workshop was on waste reduction and recycling strategies. The workshops objective was to evaluate each municipalitys potential in both nations to embrace and work within a circular economy. Collaborative brainstorming sessions facilitated the exchange of ideas. The participants identified best practices and established joint long-term goals.

This concerted effort, GIZ explained, aimed to forge sustainable partnerships and elevate resource management practices. Following the workshop, the participants attended a one-day event in Mahdia organized by MedCities the Mediterranean Cities network for Urban Sustainable Development.

MEDCities actively promotes sustainable urban development in the region with a keen focus on supporting environmental protection from a local perspective.

This activity is supported by the European Union in Libya and Germanys BMZ -funded project Decentralisation as a contribution to peacebuilding in Libya / Support to municipalities in Libya (SML). It is implemented by Germanys GIZ in cooperation with the Libyan Ministry of Local Government and 30 partner municipalities.

REAoL participates in GIZ organised training on project site demarcation (libyaherald.com)

Minister of Local Government discusses joint programmes and strengthening development cooperation with GIZ (libyaherald.com)

Germanys GIZ delivers first batch of solid waste management equipment to 17 municipalities (libyaherald.com)

GIZ Kick-off workshop in Tunis to launch solar energy in Libya (libyaherald.com)

Twenty-nine women mentors and entrepreneurs complete EU/GIZ programme (libyaherald.com)

GIZ signs MoU with eastern Libyan cities on decentralization, economic development and health (libyaherald.com)

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Promoting Solid Waste Management in Libya for a Circular ... - Libya Herald

An official at the Tripoli based Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade revealed in an exclusive interview with Libya Herald that there are over 25,000 e-stores, including stores of well-known brands and stores of a service nature in various specialties, operating in Libya without official registration and documentation.

He estimated the volume of transactions of these e-stores in the hundreds of millions of dinars and confirmed that they operate in the shadow economy.

The revelation was made by Samir Al-Tarmal, Director of the Capacity Development Centre of the Libya Trade Network.

Al-Tarmal was speaking to Libya Herald last Thursday on the margins of the workshop organised by Ministry of Economy and Trades Libya Trade Network entitled Regulating the Work of e-stores in Libya. The workshop aimed to establish the regulatory framework for e-stores with the launch of an e-platform for registering electronic stores in Libya called Maothooq (trusted).

Maothooq platform to legalise e-commerce in Libya Al-Tarmal said that the centre provides advanced programmes in the field of e-commerce by supporting the capabilities of institutions related to e-commerce within the decisions and regulations issued by the government to organize and register stores within the Maothooq platform. He said permission is granted to practice an official and legal commercial activity within the framework of regulating the work of e-stores in Libya on the one hand and protecting the consumer on the other hand.

Therefore, registering on the Mawthooq platform will have a positive impact on e-store owners in particular and the Libyan economy in general, he added.

Advantages of registration: connectivity with shipping and e-payments Regarding the advantages of registering on the Maothooq platform, Al-Tarmal said the Maothooq platform offers advantages to those registered on it, including providing connectivity with shipping and delivery services, in addition to providing connectivity with electronic payment services available from Libyan banks and financial services companies.

Unregistered companies barred from banking services In this regard, he revealed, it was agreed with the Central Bank of Libya that commercial banks and financial services companies were to provide e-payment facilities only after e-stores registered on the Maothooq platform. He agreed that the Maothooq platform will only register licenced e-stores.

Role of the Libya Trade Network On the other hand, also speaking exclusively to Libya Herald and on the margins of the same workshop, the Chairman of the Libya Trade Network, Ahmed Al-Darwish, said the Libya Trade Network provides various facilities for commercial operations. It provides the appropriate legal climate for them, including decisions and regulations regulating transit trade, regulating electronic stores, providing solutions, and issuing local prices for goods and other matters.

Guarantees rights of shop owners and consumers Regarding the Maothooq platform, and the importance of registering on it to practice e-commerce, Al-Darwish said that the platform guarantees store owners legal protection and legal activity. This requires following the steps and registration mechanism to obtain a practice permit in accordance with the decisions and regulations governing the work of e-stores.

High security and protection Al-Darwish stressed the necessity of registering on the Maothooq platform for all e-stores, whether for individual activity or licensed companies, because it guarantees them a high level of security and protection from fraudulent operations, and in return, it protects the consumer with goods and products of unknown origin, or corrupt and defective, and low-quality services.

Libya Trade Network It is worth noting that the Libya Trade Network, affiliated with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, was established by Cabinet Decision No. 681 of 2021. It is a government institution concerned with implementing and managing basic and important projects and programmes. It aims to organise and develop the Libyan trade sector to keep pace with international developments in the field of digital trade and capacity building, and it claims it is the reliable source of trade data in Libya. It aims to achieve an accelerated digital transformation of the Libyan trade sector, and to facilitate and develop foreign trade in Libya.

Two e-stores were registered at the workshop The workshop included the participation of two e-store owners who registered on the Maothooq platform, and who were granted permission to practice e-commerce by the Libyan Trade Network, namely Taha Store and Zanomy Store. They were ceremoniously given permission to e-trade by the Minister of Economy and Trade Mohamed Hwej after they completed the registration process live on screen at the workshop.

The workshop was held in the presence of the Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwej, and the head of the Libya Trade Network, Mohamed Al-Darwish, and with the participation of representatives of the Central Bank of Libya, the National Information Authority, the General Authority for Communications and Informatics, the Libyan Post and Telecommunications Holding Company, Al-Madar Company, Libyana Company, Libya Post, and Libya Phone, and several financial services and electronic payment companies in Libya.

Organising the Work of e-stores workshop launches government e-commerce platform (libyaherald.com)

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Libyan Islamic Bank and Dokkan sign e-payment agreement (libyaherald.com)

ATMs and e-payments in Libyan shops and businesses set to grow (libyaherald.com)

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Over 25,000 e-stores with turnover in hundreds of millions operating ... - Libya Herald

The Turkish presidency forwarded a motion yesterday to the presidency of the Parliament to extend the deployment of Turkish forces in Libya for a further 24 months, from next January 1st until 2026.

According to Ankaras state-owned news agency Anadolu, the motion signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlines the great importance for Turkey of the continuation of the ceasefire and the political dialogue process in Libya, as well as the establishment of peace and stability as a result of this process.

The motion states that in the event of a resumption of attacks against the legitimate government, i.e. the Tripoli-based government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Turkeys interests in both the Mediterranean basin and North Africa could be negatively affected .

The motion therefore states that preventing the resumption of conflicts is important to ensure the conclusion of military and political negotiations conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

The mandate first came into force in January 2020 following a security and military agreement that Turkey reached with Libyas former Government of National Accord in Tripoli. It was then extended by 18 months in December 2020, and again in June 2022.

Turkeys support for the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord helped turn the tide of war in Libya. Turkish military assistance including advisors, equipment and intelligence helped block a year-long military campaign by the Libya National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, which sought to gain foothold in the capital.

Ankara has been accused of sending thousands of Syrian mercenaries to Libya.

Turkey at the time also signed a controversial maritime agreement with the Tripoli government, giving it access to a contested economic zone across the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The deal added to tensions in Turkeys dispute with Greece, Cyprus and Egypt over oil and gas drilling rights.

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Erdogan signs motion to extend Turkish troop presence in Libya ... - Libya Update

The Italian multinational energy company Eni and the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) discussed the exploratory programs planned for 2024.

In a statement via Facebook, the NOC said its Exploration Department held a meeting with officials of the Italian company Eni, to discuss the companys exploration activity in 2023 and the exploration programs expected in 2024.

The meeting was attended by specialists and technicians from the NOCs Exploration Department, the exploration manager of Eni in North Africa and some specialists from its headquarters in Tripoli, as well as specialists from the British BP and the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA).

In particular, during the meeting, the results of the exploratory activity in 2023, the projects proposed for implementation in 2024 were discussed. The meeting aims to coordinate efforts between the National Oil Corporation and foreign companies participating in Libyan exploration activities, to ensure maximum benefit from Libyan oil resources.

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Talks between Italy's Eni and Libya's NOC on exploration programs ... - Libya Update