Benghazi is preparing to host a major Libyan-Italian Economic Forum from June 24 to 27, signaling renewed interest among Italian companies in investing in eastern Libya.
Organized by the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Libya’s Reconstruction and Development Fund, headed by Belgassem Haftar, the forum comes just after Libya’s House of Representatives approved a long-awaited development budget.
According to Nicola Colicchi, president of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce, the event reflects growing economic confidence in the region.
Despite ongoing instability in western Libya, he noted that eastern Libya is offering a more stable environment for investment. Colicchi, a seasoned entrepreneur with deep knowledge of Libya’s markets, emphasized that Italian goods and services remain highly valued in the country.
Italian participation is expected to be broad, with over 100 companies registered to attend. These firms represent a wide range of sectors, including construction, infrastructure, engineering, healthcare, urban planning, logistics, agriculture, energy, and tourism. The initiative aims to facilitate direct partnerships between Libyan institutions and experienced Italian companies with a strong record of delivering in complex markets.
The forum also serves as an entry point to wider African markets. Colicchi described Cyrenaica (eastern Libya) as a strategic hub, connecting Europe with sub-Saharan Africa. He also praised Italy’s recent diplomatic engagement, noting that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remains the only European leader to have visited Benghazi in recent years.
Colicchi identified Belqasem Haftar as one of Libya’s most important economic actors, citing his leadership in post-crisis reconstruction and his supervision of public investment projects in Derna and other cities. The Reconstruction Fund, he said, is becoming a reliable partner for foreign investors seeking long-term opportunities in Libya.
