During the past two years, Turkish companies have won several tenders in various fields in Libya. These include projects like airports, power stations, roads, bridges, public parks, hospitals, infrastructure work, and the construction of government and private buildings.
Turkish engineer, Zaki Arar said that “Libya for Turkey is the cornerstone of foreign contracts. It is necessary to realize its importance of that, and not abandon it.” Arar came to Libya for the first time in 1980, after graduating from university. He has been working for two years on a bridge and road project in the capital, Tripoli.
“Everyone is thinking of returning to Libya, and the companies we know are negotiating, and I think we will be very successful, as we were before,” Arar added.
Notably, the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly said that the value of Turkish exports to Libya for 2022 amounted to $2.4 billion dollars. This ranks the country third among African countries in importing Turkish products.
The assembly added that exports to North African countries increased by 5.1% compared to 2021, reaching $13.1 billion dollars. According to the assembly, chemicals, steel, grains, legumes, and oilseeds were at the forefront of Turkish exports.
Turkey’s exports to Morocco amounted to $2.9 billion dollars; Algeria $1.9 billion dollars; Tunisia $1.5 billion dollars; Egypt $3.9 billion dollars; and Sudan $423 million dollars.
Libya has been ranked third among African countries in importing Turkish products in 2022.
Turkish exports are at a record high, exceeding $21 billion, an increase of 12.3% compared to 2021.
Egypt ranked first among African countries, with a value of $3.9 billion, Morocco second with $3 billion, and Libya third with $2.4 billion. Algeria came fourth with $1.9 billion, and South Africa fifth with $1.6 billion.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down. In response, the country’s eastern-based Parliament appointed a rival Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.