Government to send 50,000 skilled workers to Libya

[LahoreEstate]

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government will export 50,000 skilled workers to Libya by the end of this year under a MoU signed between the two countries during recent visit of President of Pakistan to Libya.

Ambassador of Pakistan in Libya Jamil Ahmed Khan expressed these views while giving a presentation on Libya to the local business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday. Pakistan and Libya have tremendous opportunities of enhancing cooperation in diversified fields and the Embassy of Pakistan in Libya had stepped up its efforts to explore new areas of mutual interest for the two countries.

He said Libya had one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes of $14,500 with surplus budget of more than $25 billion & forex reserves of $134 billion. He said Libya holds the largest proven oil reserves in Africa (43.66 billion barrels as of 2007) while its proven natural gas reserves as of 2007 were estimated at 54.38 trillion cubic feet and all these indicators showed its good economic strength. He said Libya was gradually opening up its economy and liberalizing its trade. Private enterprises were encouraged to do business in Libya and Pakistani entrepreneurs should look for increasing their share in Libyan economy.

He said major industries of Libya were petroleum, farming, food processing, cement and agriculture. Libya imports about 75 percent of its food and Pakistan has vast scope to enhance the exports of its food products to Libya. He said Libyan oil and gas sectors projects were open for foreign companies and called upon Pakistani businessmen to explore opportunities for themselves in Libya in these sectors.

Pakistan could also provide software, hardware and personnel to oil companies in Libya. Highlighting other areas of cooperation, he said Pakistan could increase its exports of textile products, commercial goods, plastic products, score of items used in the housing sector from cement to wood, furniture, IT, oil and gas equipment, auto parts, sports goods, tractors, agriculture implements, transformers, telecommunication towers and many other items.

In the housing and construction sector, he informed that Libya planned an investment of $100 billion during the next five years which means $20 billion a year - which was something Pakistan could take very big advantage. He said in coming days Libya’s importance would further grow as the next President of the UN General Assembly would be from Libya and its President Moammar Qadafi was also the Chairman of 53-nation African Union. Therefore, Libya could became a best source for Pakistan’s access to African countries and their markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaban Khalid, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the skilled workforce of Pakistan, well recognized in the US and the West, could best be utilized in the health sector, infrastructure development, engineering projects, information technology, education, banking and finance. He said in 1970s, Pakistani doctors, engineers and other professionals rendered valuable contribution to lay the foundation of Libya as a nation emerging from Italian Imperialism and established good credibility.

Therefore, Libya should import from professionals and workers from Pakistan, he demanded. He said Pakistan had well-developed banking sector and it could provide useful support and expertise to Libya in banking sector as well. He said Pakistan could not only support projects within Libya it could also contribute towards Libya’s various African Development programs. He said enhanced exchange of business delegations was the best way to explore areas of cooperation & to take optimum advantage of them. He asked the Pakistan Ambassador in Libya to use his efforts for making visa procedures and processes more easy and quick to facilitate the business communities of both countries

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_9