Two-day conference to discuss business opportunities in Libya

The growing potential of the Libyan market and the numerous business opportunities for Maltese entrepreneurs which it offers will be discussed at a two-day conference (a first in itself) which EMCS is holding jointly with Fimbank, the trade finance bank, at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel on March 8 and 9.

But, even more importantly, this is the first international conference which EMCS is organising in Malta, with the participation of prestigious guest speakers from Malta, Libya and UK, and participants from a number of other countries. Already inquiries regarding participation has been received from Italy, Germany, Poland, India, Argentina, Austria and the Middle East. Between 150 and 200 participants are expected at the conference.

The conference - "Succeeding in a changing Libya: strategies for new business opportunities" - has the official blessing of the Maltese Foreign Minister, Dr Michael Frendo, and support from the Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce and the Arab-Maltese Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

It is being sponsored by BAWAG, the fourth-largest Austrian banking group, the Corinthia Group, which has a substantial Libyan shareholding and operates, among its 31 hotels in 11 countries, the five-star Bab Africa in Tripoli, Salvo Grima Group, Casapinta Design Group, Air Malta, the Arab Banking Corporation, Exporta Group, a London-based publishing and events company, and Standard Bank London Ltd.

The conference is being designed so as to offer business executives in diverse sectors with an overview of the new business opportunities that are being made available since the removal of economic sanctions and Libya's general stride to liberalise and open its economy.

The list of prestigious speakers includes Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg, Mohamed Taher Siala, Assistant Secretary for International Co-operation, General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Co-operation of Libya, Dr Simon Busuttil, MEP, vice-chairman of the European Parliament's Committee for the Maghreb; Rajab Shaglaboo, general manager, Libyan Foreign Investment Board; Dr Mahamud Ahmed Al-Ftise, Secretary of General People's Committee for the the General Board of Ownership Transfer of Companies and Public Economical Units;

Alfred Pisani, chairman of the Corinthia Group; Dr Sedeek A. Mesrarti, Mesrati & Partners: legal office specialising in commercial law (Tripoli); Ms Enas Al-Ghablawi, certified public accountant and auditor; Eng. Abdalla M. Fellah, general commissioner of the Libyan Businessmen Council; Mr A. I. Zmirli, managing director of Medavia Company Ltd and a director of the Corinthia Group, and Dr Said Laswad, editor of The Tripoli Post, the only English-language newspaper in Libya.

Dr John C. Grech, managing director of EMCS, said the conference comes at an exciting time, now that international sanctions against Libya have been lifted and the country is being reintegrated in the world's economy and engaging in more international trade.

Malta has had a long and fruitful close relationship with Libya, Dr Grech said, so this is an opportunity for Malta to review its relationship with Libya in a different scenario. Malta and the Maltese business community have a wealth of experience in dealing with Libya, which they now can exploit to their advantage in the new situation - and not just in Libya.

The conference will outline the opportunities that are becoming available in Libya. It will also deal with the regulatory environment and offer practical advice on how to go about doing business in Libya.

Taking part in the conference will be professionals who can offer legal and tax advisory support, while one-to-one consultation sessions will be possible with speakers and other experts who will be attending the conference.

The conference will naturally offer an excellent opportunity of networking with individuals that can greatly facilitate the process of conducting business in Libya.

Delegates at the conference will be mainly European, Libyan and US based entrepreneurs, professionals, corporate executives and investors operating in tourism, banking/financial services and trading. Distinguished Libyan businessmen will be attending together with leading officials from the Libyan Businessmen's Council, which has been set up to give space to private enterprise in Libya. The council's president, in fact, will be making a presentation at the conference.

EMCS (www.emcs.com.mt) is a business consulting firm that offers its services to a number of business organisations in Malta, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the Middle East, while Fimbank plc (www.fimbank.com) is an international trade financing institution that is partly owned by a leading Kuwaiti group of companies. It is also listed on the Malta Stock Exchange.

For registration and further information about this conference contact Adrian Said or Mariella Attard on 2134-1848/9, adrian.said @emcs.com.mt, mariella.attard @emcs.com or visit the official conference Website, www.emcs.com.mt

EMCS (Economic and Management Consultancy Services Ltd) have now moved to Level 3, Regional Business Centre, University Heights, Msida MSD 04.