The U.S.-Libya Business Association (USLBA) held a virtual meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland on May 14 to discuss recent economic, political, and security developments in Libya relevant to U.S. private sector investment in the country. Participating USLBA member companies and Ambassador Norland exchanged ideas about how to address specific concerns and priorities of their respective operations in Libya.

USLBA Director Lydia Jabs emphasized that American companies see strong potential for future investment in Libya across several sectors, but cautioned that such investments necessitate an end to the conflict and a return to the political process.

USLBA is grateful to work with Ambassador Norland to realize the long-term commitment of our member companies to the Libyan people in their efforts to rebuild and diversify the Libyan economy, create jobs, and a sustainable future for Libya’s youth.

On Wedesday, January 29, USLBA members visited the State Department to meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary Henry Wooster. The discussion focused on the outcomes and implications of the Berlin Conference as well as the oil sector crisis. Henry Wooster is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Maghreb and Egypt. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. Previously he was the Deputy of Chief of Mission in Paris and U.S. Embassy Amman.

On Wednesday, January 8, USLBA hosted a sucessful New Year’s reception at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., sponsored by member companies ConocoPhillips, Hess, and Garda World. On this occasion, we honored Ambassador Wafa Bugaighis for her efforts to enhance the bilateral relationship between the United States and Libya. USLBA was glad to bring together notable individuals from the private sector, think tanks, the USG, and the embassy of Libya to reflect on the past year and the future of Libya in 2020.

On Tuesday, October 22, USLBA hosted a private meeting for member companies with the Governor of Libya’s Central Bank, Saddek ElKaber, and members of the Central Bank’s delegation to the Fall IMF Meetings in Washington, D.C. The productive event centered on banking, macroeconomic issues, and doing business in Libya.

Governor ElKaber opened the discussion by stating that – despite the challenges posed by the political divisions and ongoing conflict country – macroeconomic indicators in Libya are trending positively. Through targeted reforms, the CBL has alleviated the pressure on its reserves, improved Libya’s balance of payments, and helped to turn a budget deficit into a surplus as of 2018, the governor explained.

Governor ElKaber said American companies with commercial interests in Libya can count on the CBL’s support, and USLBA members likewise reiterated their commitment to the Libyan market and the Libyan people.

USLBA is grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with Governor ElKaber in Washington and to further strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Libya.

On September 26, USLBA members and senior USG officials from the White House and State Department gathered in NYC for a productive discussion of the future of Libya’s economy with the Libyan delegation to UNGA.

The Libyan delegation, led by the President of the Presidential Council, H.E. Fayez Al Sarraj, also included Foreign Minister, H.E. Mohamed Siala; Ambassador of Libya to the United States, H.E. Wafa Bughaighis, and other senior advisors to the Prime Minister.

The USG officials who participated in the event include Dr. Victoria Coates, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Director for MENA Affairs; Rob Greenway, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for MENA Affairs; and Kurt D. Donnelly, USDOS Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources. Six USLBA companies attended the meeting including ConocoPhillips, GardaWorld, GE, Hess Corporation, Hill International, and Motorola Solutions.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this meeting possible! USLBA is glad to continue the tradition of bringing business leaders and government officials together on the sidelines of UNGA.