Tripoli, in Rome for business

The Tripoli Chamber of Commerce 4-day mission to Italy has ended on a positive note, with 25 Italian companies manifesting an interest in doing business in Libya, Chamber of Commerce member Farag M. M. Sheftry, who is also the President of the Small and Medium Businesses Committee, said in a communiqué issued today. The mission organized by ItalAfrica, the Italian-Central African Chamber of Commerce, follows on a protocol signed by both parties in Tripoli in May. Sheftry outlined a series of incentives for Italian investors interested in the reconstruction of the country, such as a 6-year tax break and no tariffs. ''The Libyan people would rather buy Italian products than Turkish or Chinese ones,'' Sheftry said, adding that Italian factories in Libya could help train the local workforce. ItalAfrica Chamber of Commerce President Alfredo Cesari said he expects the first contracts will be signed in Tripoli in September. ''Our mission will culminate with a signing of the protocol with the Benghazi Chamber of Commerce as well, and with the opening of an ItalAfrica office in Tripoli,'' Cesari said.(ANSAMed).