Libya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the eastern-based government, Abdel Hadi Al-Hwaij, held talks with representatives of Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board to discuss a proposal to establish a free industrial zone in Libya.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters in Benghazi, focused on expanding economic cooperation and attracting foreign investment into Libya’s industrial sector.
The Turkish delegation, led by Saadallah Tekin, presented a vision for developing a modern industrial zone designed to draw Turkish and international investors, while leveraging Turkey’s experience in managing free zones and industrial cities.
During the discussions, Al-Hwaij expressed the Libyan government’s support for such strategic initiatives, emphasizing their potential to drive sustainable development, diversify the national economy, and create new job opportunities. He also highlighted Libya’s geographic advantage as a gateway to African markets, which could make the proposed zone a regional hub for trade and logistics.
The Turkish side outlined the capabilities of its private sector and investor networks, stressing readiness to contribute to the project’s success. Officials noted that cooperation could extend beyond infrastructure development to include industrial services, logistics, and technology transfer.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing coordination and preparing detailed technical and economic studies to assess the feasibility of the project. These studies are expected to form the basis for determining implementation mechanisms and ensuring long-term viability.