Turkey’s Trade Minister Ömer Bolat has hailed Libya as a country of “great value,” unveiling new measures to boost economic ties and setting ambitious trade targets as Ankara deepens its engagement with North Africa.
Speaking during a meeting with Libya’s Minister of Transportation from the Government of National Unity, Bolat announced that bilateral trade reached $3 billion in the first eight months of 2025. He said the figure is expected to reach $4 billion by the end of the year, with a target of $5 billion in 2026.
As part of efforts to ease travel and business exchanges, Bolat confirmed that Turkey will introduce a new visa system for Libyan citizens starting September 15. The new arrangement will provide long-term, multiple-entry visas, reflecting Ankara’s intent to facilitate closer commercial and people-to-people ties.
The minister highlighted the historic role of Turkish contractors in Libya, noting that their first projects abroad began there in 1972. Since then, Turkish companies have executed 641 projects in Libya worth $31.5 billion. “Libya remains a cornerstone of our contracting sector,” he said.
Bolat also praised Libya’s energy potential, describing it as a producer of “some of the finest oil in the world.” He added that Turkey seeks to expand cooperation beyond energy and construction to include agriculture, fisheries, mining, and renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Collaboration in education, healthcare, and tourism was also cited as areas of growing importance.
Looking ahead, Bolat proposed holding the long-delayed Turkey–Libya Joint Economic Commission (KEK) meeting in December, the first since 2009. He also confirmed that the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) agreement would soon be signed in Istanbul, institutionalizing the partnership.
