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Article: Tripoli talks but can it walk? Last December, Tripoli announced it would dismantle its weapons of mass destruction programme, paving the way for its recent rapprochement with the West and opening up of its economy. In an exclusive interview with MEED, Libyan Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem discusses the reform programme.(Libya)(Cover Story)
- Article from:
- MEED Middle East Economic Digest
- Article date:
- June 4, 2004
- Author:
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Tripoli may want to play ball, but there is still a yin to its yang. Two months ago the Economy & Trade Ministry invited firms to discuss problems they had with the local business environment. However, what seemed as a perfect example of Tripoli's newfound concern for foreign business had a catch--companies would have to pay LD 2,000 ($1,515) to attend. "They should be paying us for our input," said one bemused contractor. "Not the other way round."
Libyan Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem--a former economist and senior OPEC official--is charged with overseeing Libya's rehabilitation with the West and liberalising the economy. It will not be an easy task. After years ...