Libya

To contribute to the existing pool of evidence on the dynamic interplay between illicit trade and armed conflicts, this report looks at illicit trade flows in four separate conflict-affected countries in the MENA region: Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen. For the case of Yemen, the report also presents a deep-dive analysis of illicit trade flows and the relevant governance environment. The findings highlight that illicit trade networks in these countries are dynamic, complex, and heavily integrated into regional and global networks.

Middle East and North Africa Investment Policy Perspectives highlights the considerable progress in investment policies made by the region’s governments over the past decade. Yet, the reform momentum needs to be sustained and deepened for the benefits of investment to be shared with society at large and for growth to be sustainable, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting global economic upheaval. The publication takes stock of investment policy trends and reforms in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, and Tunisia, and draws out common challenges, offering suggestions of reform priorities. It considers several dimensions of the policy framework that affect the investment climate and places strong emphasis on how foreign investment can help economies of the region improve their citizens’ lives. The publication serves as reference point, informing policymakers on specific areas as they continue work on leveraging investment to advance inclusive and sustainable growth.

يسلّط تقرير " تطلعات سياسات الاستثمار في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا" الضوء على التقدّم الملحوظ الذي حقّقته حكومات المنطقة في إصلاح سياسات الاستثمار خلال العقد الماضي. ولكن يحتاج زخم الإصلاحات هذه إلى الاستدامة والتعميق للتمكّن من مشاركة فوائد الاستثمارات مع المجتمع ككلّ، لا سيّما في سياق جائحة كوفيد-19 والاضطرابات الاقتصادية العالمية الناجمة عنها. من هنا، يقيّم هذا التقريرالتوجّهات السياساتية للاستثمار والإصلاحات في الجزائر، ومصر، والأردن، ولبنان، وليبيا، والمغرب، والسلطة الفلسطينيّة، وتونس، فيحدّد التحدّيات المشتركة ويقدّم اقتراحاتٍ حول أولويّات الإصلاح. كما يأخذ التقرير بالاعتبار مختلف الأبعاد السياساتية التي تؤثّر على مناخ الاستثمار، ويركّز بشكلٍ كبير على كيفيّة استخدام الاستثمار الأجنبي لمساعدة الحكومات على تحسين حياة مواطنيها. ويمكن أن يُعتبر التقرير مرجعًا لصانعي السياسات ليساعدهم في عملهم المستمرّ في جذب الاستثمارات التي تعزّز التنمية الشاملة والمستدامة.

La publication Perspectives des politiques d’investissement au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord met en exergue les progrès considérables accomplis en matière de politiques d’investissement par les gouvernements de la région tout au long de la dernière décennie. Toutefois, la dynamique de réforme devra se maintenir et se confirmer pour que les bénéfices liés à l'investissement soient partagés au sein de la société dans son ensemble et pour que la croissance soit durable, en particulier dans le contexte de la pandémie COVID-19 et des bouleversements économiques mondiaux qui en résultent. La publication fait le point sur les tendances et les réformes des politiques d'investissement en Algérie, Égypte, Jordanie, Liban, Libye, Maroc, dans l’Autorité palestinienne et en Tunisie. Elle identifie des défis communs, et propose des suggestions de priorités de réforme. Elle examine diverses dimensions du cadre politique affectant le climat de l’investissement et met fortement l’accent sur la manière dont les investissements étrangers peuvent aider les économies de la région à améliorer la vie de leurs citoyens. La publication sert de point de référence pour informer sur des points spécifiques les décideurs politiques qui s’attellent à mobiliser l’investissement pour une croissance inclusive et durable.

يقدم كتاب "التمكين الاقتصادي للمرأة في بعض الدول العربية" تحليلاً للتحديات التي تواجهها الجزائر ومصر والأردن وليبيا والمغرب وتونس فيما يتعلق بجهودها الرامية إلى تعزيز توظيف المرأة وريادتها للأعمال، ويقدم توصيات في مجال السياسة من أجل م ضي الحكومات قدمًا في طريقها. ويركز الكتاب على أربعة مجالات رئيسة: يقدم الفصل الأول مقدمة عن المشاركة الاقتصادية للمرأة في ست دول، بينما يتناول الفصل الثاني الأحكام الدولية والدستورية وإمكانية حصول المرأة على العدالة، في حين يطرح الفصل الثالث تحليلاً لتأثير قانون الأسرة على تمكين المرأة، وأخيرًا يتناول الفصل الرابع قانون العمل فيما يتعلق بحقوق المرأة باعتبارها موظفة ورائدة أعمال.

The report is intended to contribute to the implementation of policies in a post-conflict Libya to promote private sector development. The report analyses the structural economic and framework conditions prevalent in Libya, highlights potential drivers of development and considers the role of SMEs and entrepreneurship promotion in driving post-conflict recovery. Based on international experience and practices, and considering the context of the country, the report identifies the necessary legal frameworks, institutions and policies for the promotion of SME and entrepreneurship. The document is part of a wider MENA Transition Fund project to support the design and implementation of SME policies in Libya.

This chapter analyses the political context in Libya, briefly looking at the ongoing conflict and underlying dynamics. It discusses how conflict and fragility hampers private sector development, and vice versa, how supporting SMEs, entrepreneurship and the private sector as a whole can contribute to peace and stability. International actors should develop a conflict-sensitive approach and follow the principles for good international engagement in fragile states.

This chapter provides recommendations to support SMEs and entrepreneurship in post-conflict Libya, building on the analysis of the previous chapters. There are many areas that require improvement, but policy makers should prioritise and adopt a realistic approach, paying particular attention to the sequencing of reforms. In the short term, policies should focus on rebuilding the fabric of SMEs in the country. In the longer term, it should promote economic diversification and support SMEs grow and operate in more competitive sectors. The chapter discusses the possibility of developing an SME strategy, and it includes guidance on the process.

This chapter examines SME and entrepreneurship policies in Libya, including the institutional framework and programmes. It analyses co-ordination mechanisms, business support services and financing and initiatives. While the government has initiated several policy measures and programmes to bolster the SME sector – such as financial assistance and programmes to support start-ups through entrepreneurship training, information and advice – the review identifies a number of policy gaps. Broader and deeper measures and enhanced institutional structures are needed. The chapter also highlights opportunities for development of sectors that could lead to greater diversification of the economy outside the hydrocarbon sector and future growth of the SME sector.

This chapter aims to analyse the private sector, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in Libya based on available data, but the current situation is likely to have significantly worsened due to the unrest since 2014. The chapter presents information on the size, structure and role of the SME sector in the economy and the level of entrepreneurial activity. It highlights the major challenges inhibiting development of the SME sector based on recent small-scale surveys. The evidence reveals a very low contribution of SMEs to the economy, a relatively weak level of entrepreneurship and poor performance of the SME sector in terms of employment generation, productivity, and competitiveness. Private sector enterprises and SMEs face many constraints that hamper their development and growth potential, which have become even more severe in recent years due to the political instability and worsening security situation. This includes access to resources and markets. Much of SME-related activity takes place in the informal economy, largely due to complex and costly business registration procedures, the absence of functioning registration and licensing systems in Libya’s regions, and weaknesses in the legal, regulatory and administrative systems.

Libya’s private sector faces many constraints, hampering both its development and growth potential. The recent conflict has made the situation dire. This report analyses the structural economic and framework conditions affecting private sector development in Libya. It includes recommendations to support the survival and growth of SMEs, as they will play an important role for the stability and long-term development of the country. The private sector accounts for only about 5% of Libya’s GDP. A full 95% of private enterprises are SMEs, often operating in the informal economy. They perform poorly when it comes to generating employment, productivity, competitiveness and value added.

This study is part of the project “SME Development Strategy for Libya”, supported by the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Transition Fund of the Deauville Partnership and executed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The overall objective of the project is to support the design and implementation of policies for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship as important actors in the recovery and long term stability and development of Libya. Given the resumption of violence in Libya in 2014, the project had to be adjusted and some activitities were put on hold. The publication of this study completes component 1 of the project.

This chapter examines the framework conditions for private sector and SME development in Libya. It looks at the lack of economic diversification, macroeconomic conditions, infrastructure, labour market, financial market, the innovation system, the regulatory framework, corruption and the rule of law. Past governments have undertaken initiatives that have potential to ease private sector and SME development, but political instability and conflict have brought the reform agenda to a halt, affected the delivery of government services and curtailed implementation of laws and regulations.