5th German-Libyan Business Forum in Tripoli: Dialogue, Trust and New Perspectives for Industrial Projects

Introduction

On 19 and 20 May 2026, the 5th German-Libyan Business Forum took place in Tripoli. The event provided an important platform for exchange between German and Libyan companies, institutions and decision-makers – with the clear objective of deepening economic cooperation, strengthening trust and developing concrete project opportunities for the years ahead.

In the course of my work for GTG German Technology Holding GmbH, I had the privilege of participating in this high-level forum. I am currently acting as Project Manager for GTG in the planning, supply and construction of a Lube Oil Blending Plant in Azzawiya, Libya. This gave the event not only a valuable professional dimension, but also a direct connection to an important ongoing industrial project.

 

High-Level Exchange in a Forward-Looking Environment

The forum brought together senior representatives from politics, business and industry. Among the participants were H.E. Ralph-Joseph Tarraf, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Libya, H.E. Suhail Abu Shiha, Minister of Economy, and Mr. Ralph Böhme, Head of Division for Foreign Economic Affairs at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

This direct dialogue at a high level was one of the strongest signals of the event. Libya continues to face complex political, institutional and security-related challenges. At the same time, it is evident that the country offers significant economic potential and has a strong need for modernization, infrastructure development and industrial implementation in many sectors.

Against this background, formats such as the German-Libyan Business Forum are particularly valuable. They create a setting in which politics, institutions and business can engage in open dialogue, build trust and lay the groundwork for project ideas to become real investments and tangible results.

Opportunities in a Demanding Market Environment

Libya is not a simple market. The developments of recent years have shown that successful economic engagement requires a high degree of understanding, patience, local involvement and professional preparation. Companies wishing to develop and implement projects in Libya must take the technical, commercial and organizational requirements just as seriously as the specific framework conditions of the country.

This is exactly why the atmosphere of the forum was so encouraging. Despite all well-known challenges, the willingness to cooperate was clearly visible. The discussions were open, constructive and characterized by a shared interest in creating economic perspectives and advancing urgently needed projects.

The agenda focused on key areas such as energy, oil and gas, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, education, as well as legal and economic framework conditions. These are precisely the sectors that are essential for Libya’s further development and long-term industrial progress.

Business Needs Political Bridges

One of the key impressions from the forum was that international industrial projects are not created by technical expertise alone. They also require political understanding, institutional support and reliable economic framework conditions.

When senior representatives of both countries engage in direct dialogue, important bridges are built. Such discussions can open doors for business by creating trust, clarifying responsibilities, enabling contacts and developing a shared understanding of the next steps required.

For German companies, this represents a meaningful opportunity. German technology, engineering expertise and structured project execution enjoy an excellent international reputation. In a market such as Libya, these strengths can make a valuable contribution – particularly in areas where industrial plants, energy supply, infrastructure and technical modernization are urgently needed.

GTG as a Partner for Industrial Implementation

GTG German Technology Holding GmbH sees itself as a bridge between Libyan industry and German technology. Its approach combines German engineering, high-quality technical equipment and structured project execution with local presence and a clear understanding of the requirements on the ground.

The ongoing project of a Lube Oil Blending Plant in Azzawiya is one example of how technical planning and international cooperation can be transformed into a concrete industrial project. It is not simply about supplying individual components, but about developing a fully functional overall system – from plant concept, equipment and interface coordination to installation, commissioning and future operation.

Projects like this demonstrate the potential of practical German-Libyan cooperation: they combine technical quality with real industrial value.

Relevance for Kaiser Tech Consulting

For Kaiser Tech Consulting, participation in this forum also reflected a core professional conviction: industrial projects must not only be technically planned, but understood within their full economic, organizational and international context.

Modern plant engineering means bringing together technology, project management, feasibility, economic viability and execution reliability. This is particularly true for international projects, where communication, coordination and project discipline are just as decisive as process engineering and technical design.

The forum in Tripoli clearly demonstrated how important personal dialogue, mutual trust and long-term partnerships are for the successful realization of industrial projects.

Conclusion

The 5th German-Libyan Business Forum was a valuable and encouraging event. It demonstrated that Libya, despite demanding framework conditions, offers considerable opportunities – and that many projects are urgently needed for the country’s further economic and industrial development.

What was particularly positive was the clear willingness to remain in dialogue, strengthen partnerships and open concrete pathways for economic cooperation. When political representatives, institutions and companies work together to establish reliable structures, projects can emerge that create long-term value.

I look forward to continuing to contribute to this path through my work for GTG and with the experience of Kaiser Tech Consulting – with technical expertise, structured project management and the clear objective of turning ambitious ideas into successful industrial plants.