Misurata Free Zone hosts Libyan-Italian Business Forum

The Libyan-Italian Business and Investment Forum (LIBIF 2026) was held at the Misurata Free Zone to strengthen economic cooperation between Libya and Italy. The event brought together over 110 companies, 20 institutions, and various diplomats and investors to explore trade opportunities and market access to Africa.

Organizers highlighted that Italy remains a primary commercial partner for Libya, with bilateral trade reaching 3.627 billion euros in the first four months of 2026. The Misurata port, described as the largest in the country, manages approximately 60 percent of Libya's trade volume, serving as a strategic gateway between Europe and Africa.

The forum focused on eight key sectors: mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, food industry, maritime industry, logistics, value-added manufacturing, waste and oil recycling, and distribution. Officials, including Mohsen al-Suqutri of the Misurata Free Zone and Mohammed Raeed of the Libyan Union of Chambers of Commerce, emphasized the potential for Italian firms to utilize the zone's infrastructure for regional expansion.