Lazarevic: Serbian companies to become involved in large-scale projects in Libya

BELGRADE - Speaking to Tanjug after a recent successful visit to Libya, Serbian Minister of Internal and External Trade Jagoda Lazarevic said on Friday Serbia would boost its cooperation with the country in various areas and that the goal was to get Serbian companies involved in numerous large-scale projects in Libya.

From June 28 through 30, Lazarevic headed a Serbian business delegation on a visit to Tripoli, during which she discussed with Libyan officials ways to increase the trade cooperation between the two countries, especially in the food and pharmaceuticals industries and the renewable energy sector.

"The visit was really successful. The companies that were part of the delegation and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia representatives were more than satisfied. We had outstanding hosts, which was a strong signal that Libya very much wants to restore its relations with Serbia to what we used to have during the Yugoslav era, when we were very present there, especially in the economic segment, and that was the focus of our discussions," Lazarevic said.

She said the two countries maintained excellent political relations and that the situation in Libya had stabilised to a significant extent, and that many foreign delegations were visiting the country in a bid for their economies to become part of large-scale investment projects underway there.

"After this visit and the agreements we have made, the doors are really opening to us for a grand return of Serbian companies to the Libyan market," the minister said, adding that the construction, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, metals and agricultural machinery industries were key sectors for future cooperation.

"They (Libya) are also one of the biggest crude oil producers. They have become significantly stronger financially and they now have to invest and develop their country," Lazarevic noted.

Serbian companies can participate in building road and digital infrastructure, ports and other construction facilities as part of large-scale development plans to be carried out in Libya, she said.

Lazarevic, who is also Serbia's EXPO 2027 commissioner, noted that Libya had been the first Arab country to confirm its participation in the specialised EXPO in Belgrade and that intensive preparations for the event were underway in Libya.

"They have already shared with us some ideas for their concept, and they see the EXPO as an excellent chance to present a new Libya that is in a transformation process, and to showcase all the best of what they have," she noted.