Trade minister arrives in Libya to promote UK rebuilding role

Trade minister Lord Green arrived in Tripoli this morning to discuss the UK’s role in rebuilding Libya’s infrastructure and economy.    

Lord Green, who is accompanied by a delegation including Arup, Mott Macdonald and AMEC, will hold preliminary talks with National Transitional Council (NTC) ministers responsible for the economy, transport, education and communications.

He will also meet representatives of the country’s Central Bank, the Libyan Businessmen Council and NTC international advisers.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Lord Green said: “When the Prime Minister travelled to Libya earlier this month, he made clear the UK’s commitment to helping the National Transitional Council, and any future government in Libya, rebuild their country. 

“We completely understand that the immediate priority for the Libyan authorities is restoring security and meeting humanitarian needs and we fully support them in that.  But we also know that getting the Libyan economy up and running is a crucial factor in achieving political progress and stability.

“The international community, including British businesses, can play a role in Libya’s reconstruction and my visit today is a chance to discuss with the NTC their priorities for the coming days and months.”

News of the visit will come as a relief to trade experts who previously claimed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office was hampering British firms’ chances of winning work in Libya by failing to relax its travel advice.