Problems over visas have been a significant obstacle to normal contact between Britain and Libya. Since the British Embassy was burnt out last year Libyans have usually had to travel to Tunis to get a British visa. So it is good news that the UK announced today the re-opening of a full visa service in Libya, […]
Author Archive | MEC International
A follow-up business visit
By MEC International on 5th February 2012 in Communications, Construction & Engineering, Education & Training, Employment, Industry & Trade, Investment, MEC International, Politics, Security
This is just an update on my recent visit to Libya. I met the Ministry of Education officials again and received a warm reception. The Head of Vocational Education colleges asked me to visit six colleges in the Tripoli area so I now have some ideas for him on prioritising recovery work and how it […]
The business outlook
By MEC International on 22nd January 2012 in Banking & Finance, Construction & Engineering, Education & Training, Employment, Industry & Trade, Investment, MEC International, Oil & Gas, Politics, Public Works
When will be the best time for a multi-sector trade promotion mission from Britainto go to Libya? To find the answer to that question a small group from the Libyan British Business Council of which I am a deputy chairman spent last week in Libya, my own first visit since the revolution. My main impressions […]
Libya: the Outlook
The situation in Libya is fragile. Some commentators have spoken of fears of a failed state, but that is alarmist and not evidence-based; the situation in Libya today can not be compared with that in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan or Yemen. One Libyan commentator who recently used the expression "failed state" suggested that the model might as well […]
Unfreezing money: some action
The UN sanctions committee has lifted sanctions from the Central Bank of Libya and the Libyan Foreign Bank. In a statement on 16 December William Hague welcomed the decision and said that Libya would now have access to the funds needed to rebuild the country, underpin stability, and go about the business of everyday life. […]
Unfreezing the Money
By MEC International on 11th December 2011 in Banking & Finance, Investment, MEC International, Politics
On 8 December the Libyan leadership wrote to the United Nations calling for funds frozen by the Security Council at the beginning of the revolution to be released. The letter was signed by Mustafa Abdel Jalil chairman of the National Transitional Council, Abdurrahim El-Keib interim Prime Minister, Hassan Ziglam Finance Minister and Saddeq Omar Elkaber […]
Notes on Visit to Tripoli
Travel Arrangements I had booked return flights from London to Tunis and from Tunis to Tripoli (Mitiga) with Tunisair. When I tried to check in for the flight from Tunis to Tripoli, I found that there had been an incident involving the Tunisair flight at Mitiga on the previous day. Tunisair suspended its flights to […]
Tags: Accommodation, Banking, Banks, Contracts, Importing, Living Conditions, Travel, Tripoli, Visas
Tourism and Leisure in the new Libya
To anyone who has visited Leptis Magna, Sebratha, Cyrene and some of the fascinating towns in its vast desert interior, the rich culture and heritage of Libya is blindingly obvious. Add to that the unspoilt 2000km coastline dotted with numerous beaches, the natural beauty of the Jebel Al-Akhdar (Green Mountains) in the east of the […]