Thai Trade Center
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Libya
Profile
Location
Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa. It lies on the north coast of Africa, on the Mediterranean Sea, and is bordered by Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Egypt. It is a low-lying country, much of which is desert. There are mountainous regions in the South and North West and North East. more than 90% of the country is desert or semi desert
Basic Information ormation Country name: Libya Capital: Tripoli Pobulation: 6,653,210 (July 2017 est.) President name: Nouri Abusahmain Government type: in transition Independence: 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship) Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean between Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria Ethnic Groups: Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians) Languages : Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely) understood in the major cities); Berber Religions: Muslim (official; virtually all Sunni) 96.6%, Christian 2.7%, Buddhist 0.3%, Hindu <0.1, Jewish <0.1, folk religion <0.1, unafilliated 0.2%, Tripoli's medina (old city quarter)includes other <0.1 craftsmen of several specialties, including the Major political parties: New political parties are now copper market. Copper forges line each side of the being created. alley where craftsmen may be observed at work.
Population Pyramid
A population pyramid illustratesormation the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab
History
Recent History
Beginning in February 2011, following popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, Libya experienced a full scale revolt against Muammar Qadhafi, who had ruled Libya since 1969. By March large parts of Libya were outside of Qadhafi’s control, particularly in the east of the country. Qadhafi and his supporters responded brutally, with widely reported scenes of indiscriminate killing of Libyan citizens. In response, with the UK playing a leading role, the UN
Tripoli Harbor is a study in contrasts, with and EU passed measures imposing an arms embargo, asset freeze and significant industrial shipping taking place travel ban on Qadhafi and his household. adjacent to a broad recreational riverwalk, popular with Tripoli residents of all ages
Economy
Basic Facts
Libya is a major oil producer, with the oil sector contributing practically all export earnings and around 75% of GDP. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum.
Natural Resources Economic Indicators
Petroleum, natural 2017 gas, gypsum 2016 (est.) 2015 (est.) (est.) Climate GDP (purchasing power parity): bn. $ bn. $ 94.01 bn . $ 100.4 Mediterranean along 63.14 coast; dry, GDP - real growth rate: 55.1 % -3 % -10 % Extreme desert GDP - per capita (PPP): $ 9.800 $ 6.400 $ 6.600 interior Gross national saving of GDP: 1.9% -11% -8 %
Exports Export Partners $19.72 billion (2017 est.) Italy 33.3%, Germany 1.7%, $11.99 billion (2016 est.) China 8.3%, France 8.3%, Exports - commodities Spain 5.8%, Netherlands crude oil, refined petroleum 5.7%, Syria 5.5% (2016) products, natural gas, chemicals
Imports Imports – Partners $12.66 billion (2017 est.) China 15.4%, Italy 13.4%, $11.01 billion (2016 est.) Turkey 11.5%, France Imports - commodities 6.4%, Spain 4.8%, Syria machinery, semi-finished 4.7%, Egypt 4.5%, South goods, food, transport Korea .4%, Tunisia 4.4% equipment, consumer (2017) products
Inflation Rate 32.8% (2017 est.) 27.1% (2016 est.) Labor force: 1.114 million (2017 est.) Current account balance $591million (2017 est.) -$4.575 billion (2016 est.)
Trade Relation with Thailand
●Total Thai Exports to Libya 2017 $ 108,861,663 ●Total Thai Imports From Libya 2017 $ 116,096,558 ●Total Thai Exports to Libya 2016 $ 129,197,108 ●Total Thai Imports From Libya 2016 $ 41,903,928 ●Total Thai Exports to Libya 2015 $ 106,080,346 ●Total Thai Imports From Libya 2015 $ 5,326
Exported products: Prepared or preserved fish , Imported products: Petroleum oils, Aluminum waste and Air conditioning machines, Fruit juices, Other footwear scrap Refrigerators, freezers
Politics
After the interim National Transitional Council (NTC) declared that the country had been liberated in October 2011, it began a process to form a new government, prepare for elections and prosecute former Gaddafi officials. In the absence of an organized military, armed militias of former rebels continued to assert their role as "guardians of the revolution" around the country, and there were reports of vigilante justice and sporadic clashes between rival militias. International organizations voiced concerns over the proliferation of weapons in the region, and the risk that they might fall into the hands of militant Islamists.
Elections were held in July 2012 to a General National Congress (GNC), which took power a month later, charged with organising a constituent assembly for authoring Libya's new constitution. The NTC was formally dissolved, and in November 2012 Ali Zeidan was sworn in as Prime Minister. In March 2014, Zeidan was ousted by the GNC, amid escalating conflict in the country. On 4 August 2014, the GNC was replaced by a newly elected Council of Deputies (CoD), but on 25 August 2014, some members of the former GNC reconvened unilaterally and said they had elected Omar al-Hasi as Prime Minister, effectively leaving the country with two rival governments: the one proclaimed by the CoD in Tobruk and the one proclaimed by the claimant GNC in Tripoli.
February 16, 2015 - Egyptian warplanes stage airstrikes against ISIS targets in Libya in retaliation. July 25, 2017 - The two groups battling for control of Libya, the United Nations-backed government in Tripoli, and the Libyan National Army which controls parts of the east of the country, commit to a ceasefire and fresh elections after talks near Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The rivals pledge a "ceasefire and to refrain from any use of armed force for any purpose that does not strictly constitute counter-terrorism..."
Political Parties
Political parties were banned in Libya from 1972 until the collapse of the Qadhafi regime, and all elections were nonpartisan under law. However, the NTC has made the introduction of multiparty democracy a cornerstone of its agenda and the constitutional declaration enshrined the establishment of a “democratic political system based on political and party pluralism”. A number of new political parties have already been announced and as the country builds up to its first elections in over 42 years more parties are likely to be formed.
Recent Visits
Inward
29 March 2011: Dr Mahmud Jibril, National Transitional Council’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, for the London Conference on Libya. 12 May 2011: National Transitional Council’s Chairman Mustafa Abdul-Jalil and Health Minister, Dr Naji Barakat. 16-18 May 2011: Muhammad Al-Allagi, National Transitional Council’s Justice Minister 30 January - 5 February 2012: Fawzy Abdilal, Transitional Government’s Interior Minister 05-09 February 2012: Dr Atia Lawgali, Transitional Government’s Deputy Culture Minister
Outward
04 June 2011: William Hague, MP, Foreign Secretary and Andrew Mitchell, MP, International Development Secretary to Benghazi 15 September 2011: David Cameron, MP, Prime Minister and William Hague, MP, Foreign Secretary to Tripoli and Benghazi. 26 September 2011: Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Foreign Office Minister of State for Trade and Investment 07 October 2011: Dr Liam Fox, MP, Defence Secretary to Tripoli and Misrata. 17 October 2011: William Hague, MP, Foreign Secretary to Tripoli 07-08 December 2011: Alistair Burt, MP, Foreign Office Minister to Tripoli 15-18 January 2012: Lord Marland of Odstock, Chairman, Business Ambassadors Group, UKTI and Under Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change 16 January 2012: Permanent Under Secretaries of State at Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development
Taxation
The taxation system in Libya is not particularly transparent or effective, with tax often charged on deemed income rather than from company records. Potential investors should engage a local accountant if investing in Libya, and get full information on the tax implications of their operations. Imports are subject to a 10 per cent customs surcharge of the applicable customs duty.
Visas
Visas are required to visit Libya - the visa application process includes not only lodging an application with a Libyan diplomatic mission, but also providing a translation of your passport into Arabic. The visa process can often be lengthy, especially for countries without a Libyan diplomatic post (which includes Australia).
Travel Tips
Alcohol is not served anywhere.
It is illegal to import alcohol and pork products under Islamic law.
Travel should be booked well in advance through a travel agent.
Dialing Code
Libya's country code is 218. For calls to Libya from Australia dial: 0011 + 218 + area code + telephone number For calls from Libya to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number
Weather
Summer in Libya is unbearably hot, and is not a good time to visit. The coast in summer is hot and humid (35°C and 90 per cent humidity), and the interior is blistering hot (45–55°C and dry). Apart from the discomfort of the heat, business slows considerably over the summer months (especially June-September). The spring and autumn are pleasant times to visit. Winter is also good, although the coast can be damp and cold in the midst of winter.
Public Holiday
Libya observes Islamic holidays, which vary year-to-year according to the lunar calendar. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted.
Photos Gallery
The Algeria Square Mosque in Tripoli. The structure was popular with Tripoli residents of all ages The Clock a Catholic church during the period of Italian rule, but has Tower in the heart of Tripoli's medina (old city now been converted into a Muslim place of worship. quarter) is a relic of the Italian colonial period. The structure is dazzlingly lit at night.
The Arch of Marcus Aurelius is the largest remaining Leptis Magna, about 100 km (60 mi) east of Tripoli, is Roman relic in Tripoli. Here seen framing a local minaret, recognized as one of the most complete and best- the monument dates to the second half of the second preserved Roman ruins in the Mediterranean area. century A.D.
Ghadames is an oasis town located some 550 km (340 mi) The traditionally decorated mud brick architecture of southwest of Tripoli. The site was an important stop along Ghadames' Old City is designed for natural cooling. the old caravan routes across the Sahara. The Old City, Buildings are built directly adjacent to each other, which shown here, was organized spatially and socially into insulates the streets and living spaces below from the seven clans. beating sun.
The sand dunes of the Sahara Desert are stunning, but are not the most common landform. Rock and gravel The amazingly well-preserved Roman theater at Sabratha landscapes are much more common, though less was restored by archaeologists in the 1920s and 1930s photogenic.
Thai Trade Center, Cairo Attia Habib May 2018