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Minister for Trade and Investment visits Tripoli to discuss the UK’s role in rebuilding Libya

Lord Green: "Getting the Libyan economy up and running is a crucial factor in achieving political progress and stability."

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Lord Green, Minister for Trade and Investment, has arrived in Libya this morning to meet the National Transitional Council (NTC) for preliminary talks on the role the UK can play in rebuilding Libya’s economy and infrastructure.

Arriving in Tripoli, Lord Green is scheduled to meet NTC Ministers with responsibility for the economy, transport, education and communications. Meetings are also scheduled to take place with the Central Bank, the Libyan Businessmen Council and NTC international advisers.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Lord Green said;

“When the Prime Minister travelled to Libya earlier this month, he made clear the UK’s commitment to helping the National Transitional Council, and any future government in Libya, rebuild their country.

“We completely understand that the immediate priority for the Libyan authorities is restoring security and meeting humanitarian needs; and we fully support them in that. But we also know that getting the Libyan economy up and running is a crucial factor in achieving political progress and stability.

“The international community, including British businesses, can play a role in Libya’s reconstruction and my visit today is a chance to discuss with the NTC their priorities for the coming days and months.”

He is accompanied on the trip by a small business delegation which consists of AMEC, Arup, BP, Mott Macdonald, Shell and Serco.

Published 26 September 2011