Libya expands development cooperation with Saudi Arabia
Libya’s Government of National Unity has announced plans to expand its development cooperation with Saudi Arabia, focusing on infrastructure, industrial investment and advanced technology solutions, as reported by Asharq Al Awsat plus agencies. The initiative emerged from high-level talks on December 11 between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and executives from Saudi Arabia’s Amiantit Group, a global leader in pipe and tank manufacturing.
The discussions, held in Tripoli, aimed to expand bilateral collaboration on major development priorities. Amiantit presented its expertise in water management and infrastructure systems, underscoring potential contributions to Libya’s long-term projects as the country endures one of the most extreme periods of drought in its modern history.
Representatives of Technical Link Services for Communications (TLS), a subsidiary of Etihad Salam Telecommunications, also attended the meeting, signalling a complementary role in communications and IT development. In recent years, Libya has increased its investment in telecommunication projects, such as the Medusa project, which aims to establish the first submarine internet cable between Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and possibly Egypt by 2026.
According to government officials, the talks focused on ways to strengthen Libyan-Saudi cooperation to support key infrastructure initiatives, stimulate investment in both industrial and agricultural sectors, and broaden future joint ventures. The Government of National Unity described the engagement as part of a strategic push to diversify international partnerships that can contribute to economic revitalisation.
The meeting followed recent agreements reached with Libya’s Ministry of Housing and Construction on water infrastructure enhancements, establishment of specialised industrial facilities, and deployment of advanced water treatment solutions. Additional agreements are intended to advance Libya’s communications network and modernise its information technology and telecom services.
Libyan authorities have framed these efforts as consistent with its broader vision to attract international investment. In January 2025, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Dbeibah outlined Libya’s intention to reinforce ties with Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, to support investment across multiple economic and development sectors. At that time, he held discussions with several Saudi officials on strengthening bilateral cooperation in oil, gas and renewable energy, and identified Saudi Arabia as a key partner for developing Libya’s oil infrastructure.
Asharq Al Awsat, Maghrebi.org
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