American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Libya Trade Mission

On 21 November, Libya-Analysis co-hosted the first US Trade Mission to Libya in nine years. This event, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Libya 2021 Trade Mission, took place at the Radisson in Tripoli and at the offices of the Central Bank. The head of AmCham Libya Debbie Hirst was its driving force and inspiration. The President of Libya-Analysis Jason Pack and Director of Operations James Roslington were honoured to participate in the roles of speakers, panel moderaters and co-hosts. The event brought together delegates from leading US companies (such as GE, Bechtel, Aram, Mitsubishi and Caterpillar) and key leadership figures from the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Libya's major semi-sovereign institutions. The delegation met Libyan stakeholders including:

• the GNU Minister of Economy and Trade Mohammed al-Houij;
• the Head of the Privatisation and Investment Board (PIB) Jamal Lamushi;
• the GNU Special Envoy to the US Mohammed Ali al-Durrat;
• the Chairman of the Housing and Investment Board (HIB) Mahmoud Durrat.

Jason moderated a panel on opportunities in the electricity sector with panelists including the Chairman of the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) Waem al-Abdali and representatives from GE, Bechtel and the GNU Prime Minister's Office. The panel discussed challenges facing Libya's electricity sector, which is afflicted by frequent black-outs and in dire need of additional power capacity. The panel focused on the potential for US companies to assist in providing solutions, ranging from refurbishing power plants to providing solar power units.

The delegation visited the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) for a lunch hosted by the CBL Governor Sadiq al-Kabir in the Bank's imposing central hall. Jason introduced the Governor's remarks and the Governor addressed the issues of Letters of Credit and backpayments owed to US companies. Procedures for how best to coordinate with the Central Bank emerged from this high profile engagement.

In the afternoon, Jason and James presented a briefing on mapping and monitoring Libya's economic stakeholders. They discussed the complexity of dealing with Libya's powerful semi-sovereign institutions, proposing strategies for all companies to understand the market better and for US companies in specific to band together through the AmCham.

As the first US trade mission to Libya in many years, this was a major event for Libyan-American commercial diplomacy. It is hoped that this will provide much-needed impetus to encourage American companies to return to Libya and deepen their understanding of the Libyan scene. It is certainly a positive optic of engagement.

Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2021

Libya-Analysis LLC has partnered with Energy Capital & Power (ECP) which is organising the first-ever Libya Energy & Economic Summit with the official endorsement of the Office of Prime Minister H.E. Abdul Hameed M. A. Dabaiba, and resolute commitment from the Libyan government to revitalizing the national energy sector. The Summit is supported by the National Oil Corporation of Libya and the GNU Ministry of Oil and Gas.

The Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2021 represents the first international energy event in Tripoli in almost a decade, as the North African producer seeks to revive its oil and gas industry and boost oil output on the back of more stable conditions in the country. This event seeks to drive foreign capital, technology and expertise into the country’s energy sector, utilizing sectoral revitalization as a catalyst for broader economic growth.

Prime Minister H.E. Abdul Hameed M. A. Dabaiba, Libyan public sector leaders; and European, Middle Eastern and North African ministers and company heads will convene for the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2021, representing a unique and important gathering for the country. Jason Pack, President of Libya-Analysis LLC, will be chairing a panel discussion at the Summit.