The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafy, confirmed during his speech at the opening of the Fourth Libyan-German Economic Forum, which was held in the Libyan capital Tripoli on 12-5-2025, with the participation of the Libyan Minister of Tourism Nasr Eddin Milad Al-Fezzan representing the President of the Libyan Government of National Unity, the President of the General Federation of Libyan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Muhammad Al-Raed, the Ambassador of Libya to the Republic of Germany Dr. Jamal Ali Al-Barq, the German Ambassador to Libya Ralph Joseph Tarf, and the Secretary General of the Chambers Arab-German Abdul Aziz Al-Mikhlafi, in addition to the mass participation of the Arab and German sides, said that "the prospects for economic cooperation between Libya and Germany are great, and there are successful models for German companies in the Arab region."
Dr. Khaled Hanafy explained that "cooperation in the field of energy between the Libyan and German sides can be strengthened, which is required for Germany in light of the geopolitical situation and in light of trade wars, but on condition that the model of cooperation in the field of energy is modified so that it is not limited to exporting crude oil, where the expertise and capabilities of German companies capable of developing cooperation can be used by promoting reliance on solar energy and green hydrogen that are generously present in Libya."
"Libyan-German partnerships can be established in many fields in order to achieve the development of the Libyan economy and boost its exports not only to Germany but to the rest of the world," he said.
He considered that "training, education and building cadres is very important, and Germany can, through its expertise, qualify energies and cadres in the Libyan chambers, with the support of the Federation of Libyan Chambers, which is considered Libya's ambassador abroad through the president of Mr. Mohamed Al-Raed, who always carries with him in all his foreign trips a vision and plan to attract companies and foreign investments to Libya."
In the opening session, the President of the General Union of Libyan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Mohammed Al-Raed, delivered a speech in which he pointed out that "what happened in Libya is a security and political crisis, but - thank God - today the crisis has been released, and Libya is on the path of recovery, and we noticed this during the existence of the Government of National Unity and its adoption of many projects to return life in all fields. A number of projects have been implemented in all sectors, whether in transportation, education or health, especially projects concerned with tourism, including transport and revitalization of the private sector, and today we have more than 17 air transport companies from private companies, development at airports, development in marine reception halls, development in land ports, development in infrastructure and in the telecommunications sector, today we have an electronic visa program, and all this is in the interest of the tourism sector.
Also speaking at the opening session were the Ambassador of Libya to the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Jamal Ali Al-Barq, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Libya, Ralph Joseph Taraf, and the Secretary-General of the Arab-German Chamber Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi, where the speeches focused on the wide opportunities for investment in Libya, especially in the sectors of oil, energy, electricity, education, infrastructure, construction and training.
The speeches noted the close relations between Germany, Libya and the Arab world, and that today, in light of the new investment advantages and the Libyan Government of National Unity moving towards promoting investments and launching a series of mega investment projects, there are great opportunities for German companies to enhance their investments in Libya and establish strategic partnerships with the Libyan side.
Libya's desire to diversify its economy, not just rely on oil to boost economic activity, was emphasized. It was noted that the tourism sector in Libya can attract tourists from around the world because of its attractive tourist areas. They also stressed the great role that the Libyan private sector, in partnership with the Arab and foreign private sector, can play in order to attract businessmen and investors to Libya.
The fourth German-Libyan Economic Forum included several working sessions, the first session focused on energy (electricity, renewable energy, oil and gas). The second session dealt with: logistics, transport and infrastructure. While the third session discussed the topic of health care and education. The fourth session shed light on the topic of doing business in Libya (financial and legal framework), with the participation of speakers from the Libyan and German sides.
