Saeed Al Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The president of the Libyan National General Congress, Mohamed Magarief, who was on a two-day visit here, invited Saudi businessmen to actively contribute to rebuilding his country. Speaking on Saturday to over 200 Saudi businessmen at the conference hall of the Council of Saudi Chamber (CSC), Magarief said Libya has rich resources, and manpower that were handicapped during the past regime. “All these constitute a challenge on the new government of our country. The challenge is how they can be directed to the benefit of the Libyan people in the new era of Libya. I and my delegation came to seek the help of our brother, at the top of them the Saudis, because of their long experience and capabilities to invest in these resources, “ he said. The Chairman of CSC, Eng. Abdullah Saeed Al Mubti, noted that the Saudi-Libyan two way trade is very weak and low. “The total two way trade did not exceed $52 million in 2011, which is very low figures," he said. “But with the new government, Saudi businessmen are having new high spirit on the prospects of investing in Libya and rebuilding this country and opening in the foreseeable future new doors and channels for strengthening economic bilateral relations, increasing the flow of goods and investment between the two countries," he added. Al Mubti pointed out that the Saudis have become strongly experienced in variety of fields, like constructing building roads, hospital, airports, energy, water and others. He proposed to the Libyan delegation to work on offering Saudis with the appropriate facilities and incentives that would encourage them to invest in Libya. “Forming a Saudi-Libyan Business Council as an appropriate umbrella and forum for businessmen from both countries to discuss business prospects could be a good initial step to go ahead," Al Mubti said. According to the estimates of the CSC, the value of rebuilding projects range between $10-30 billion, and include projects in fields like infrastructures, hospital, roads, water, and electricity.
