Building Libya

 

The richest country in Africa with huge oil reserves and virtually no debt, Libya has everything to build.  From facilities required to sustain a growing population to the infrastructure to support an emerging industrial and commercial economy, Libya needs to find the full spectrum of construction expertise and expects to work with leading international companies to gain experience, know-how, skills and profits.

 

 

Open for Business

Public-private partnerships are set to transform the country and authorities are encouraging state-sector employees to start-up their own businesses. But Libyan private construction companies and consultancies are still small and do not have the necessary know-how to implement major projects and UK firms are favoured and respected partners.

 

Despite increasing openness to international investment, demand for real estate development in Libya currently exceeds government’s plans. There are many opportunities for private sector development not only in the greater Tripoli area but in other cities such as Benghazi and Tobruk.  A number of state-owned mixed-used developments are beginning to emerge but current domestic residential supply is a mixture of government provision and self-build while the commercial sector lacks ‘grade A’ retail and office space.  Land is not strictly controlled but is limited by freehold status.

 

Major Projects

With Libya’s population expected to double to 10 million by 2025 the government does have it’s work cut out. Construction will underpin every stage of Libya’s economic and social development from housing to new industrial zones and the transport infrastructure to facilitate progress.

 

Care & Community

Taking care of Libya’s growing communities will enlist major construction activity to provide facilities to fulfil the expectations of a new generation, including: 24 new schools and 28 university campus upgrades for 340,000 students;  £13 billion to be spent by 2013 to add 500,000 homes to the public housing stock with an equal amount being spent on supporting infrastructure in 41 cities; a private health sector set to grow and improve, stimulating investment in the building of new hospitals and clinics.

 

Transport

From ports and airports to road and rail, the government has an infrastructure investment plan of £78 billion. A national and regional rail network will be developed to link Libya’s major urban centres with those of its neighbours and Libyan highways are also being extended to include motorways running East-West and North-South.  The flagship M1 project – a 1200km coastal highway linking the borders of Tunisia and Egypt and will be an important enabler for Libya’s emerging tourist industry.  The £1.3 billion expansion and upgrade of Tripoli International Airport and modernisation of 13 airports nationwide are integral to Libya’s aspirations to become the ‘gateway to Africa’

 

New Industrial Zones

50 potential sites have been identified for free trade zones to attract international investment. One of the first, Misurata is already coming out of the ground. With tax and trade incentives these areas are designed to reduce investment costs, concentrate development and limit environmental impact of heavy industry. Massive growth in construction projects has placed a strain on Libya’s limited capacity for producing materials - practically everything aside from steel and cement must be imported. Libya’s need to increase local production presents further opportunity for UK manufactures and suppliers to join with local partners.

 

 

UK Construction - Libya

There is no doubt that the Libyan construction sector is undergoing a period of significant growth, Indeed it is one of the few economies globally where construction is continuing apace.  Now is most definitely the right time to be exploring Libya as a new export market where designers, developers and contractors will find work to keep them busy for at least another 10 – 15 years.  Experienced UK companies are welcomed by both state-owned holding companies and the emerging private sector. 

 

SECBE’s UK Construction – Building Libya programme has created a community of built environment companies successfully operating in Libya.  With skills and expertise across the supply chain we have a strong cohort of UK companies winning work.  SECBE’s continuous business development activity means that we’re always looking for opportunities for our members, providing the sustained presence in market that is so vital to success in Libya. The ‘first steps’ support we provide is now proven to make a big difference and the SECBE brand is opening doors to potential major clients.

If you are a built environment professional and would like to find out more about construction opportunities in Libya then please visit www.building-libya.org.uk or call Tina McGeachan, Market Development Manager on 0118 9207 204.

Tina will also be available for one to one meetings prior to emita’s North Africa seminar on Wednesday 19 January 2011. If you would like to make an appointment to meet with Tina, please contact Elizabeth on 0115 947 1767 or email emita@emd.org.uk