Misrata: The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, welcomed the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, along with his delegation, as they arrived in the Misrata Free Zone.

According to Libyan News Agency, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and developing economic and investment partnerships between Libya and Qatar. Discussions included various issues of mutual concern, with Dabaiba acknowledging Qatar’s supportive role towards the Libyan people. He highlighted the importance of translating the fraternal relations into practical programs in infrastructure, energy, and services.

Dabaiba announced the signing of a strategic partnership to expand the Misrata Free Zone port terminal, with an investment of $2.7 billion. This project involves Qatari, Italian, and Swiss companies, including the Italian company MSC, and aims to increase the terminal’s capacity to handle 4 million containers annually. The partnership is financed through direct foreign investment, which ensures project completion without burdening the state budget, aligning with the government’s goal to attract foreign investments for infrastructure development.

The project is anticipated to generate approximately $500 million in annual operating revenue and create 8,400 direct jobs and around 62,000 indirect ones, boosting Libya’s role in regional supply and trade chains.

The media office reported that the meeting also explored cooperation in the oil sector and transportation projects, which are expected to enhance service efficiency, improve infrastructure, and support the national economy. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continued coordination and joint cooperation to foster stability and development in both countries.