Libya and Tunisia have agreed to develop a joint roadmap to strengthen their economic partnership, focusing on trade facilitation, investment, and the diversification of exports, as part of renewed efforts to advance bilateral cooperation.
The agreement was reached during a meeting in Tunis between Libya’s Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwaij, and Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid. The talks followed up on the outcomes of the Libyan-Tunisian Joint Trade Committee, which convened in Tripoli on December 7–8, 2024.
According to a statement from Libya’s Ministry of Economy, the two ministers agreed that the Libyan Export Development Board and the Tunisian Export Promotion Center will jointly draft a roadmap aimed at supporting long-term economic integration between the two neighboring countries.
The discussions were attended by senior officials, including Maj. Gen. Salem Al-Basir, Director of the Technical Department at the Libyan Customs Authority; Ali Ramadan bin Zeitoun, Head of the Standards and Metrology Center; Mohamed Al-Hangari, Chairman of the Libyan Export Development Board; and Samir Al-Mahdi, President of the Libyan-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce, along with other officials from both sides.
Both parties underscored the importance of expanding bilateral trade, diversifying exports, and facilitating procedures for businesses and investors. They also agreed to deepen cooperation in investment, technology transfer, and private sector engagement to boost competitiveness and productivity.
The two sides further emphasized the need for joint outreach to African markets, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, which they view as a key mechanism for promoting regional trade and sustainable development.
The meeting also addressed cooperation in food and pharmaceutical security, as well as legal and administrative issues affecting citizens in both countries. The two sides agreed to work based on the principle of reciprocity.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegations signed the minutes of the session, formalizing the agreed steps and affirming their commitment to continued collaboration.
During his visit, Minister Al-Hwaij also met Tunisian Prime Minister Sarah Al-Zaafrani, who praised the progress of the joint committees and reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to strengthening economic and trade relations with Libya.