Italia–Libya: two agreements signed in Misrata – ports and food supply chains at the heart of the cooperation

The president proposed hosting a Libyan delegation in Palermo to identify the activities to be carried out. The memorandum of understanding thus marks the start of a phase of practical consultation: the launch of any new services and connections remains an objective to be developed, not a result already achieved by the signing.

For al-Suqutri, Italia is a key partner both in terms of trade volumes and the prospects for further collaboration. Colicchi highlighted the mission’s contribution to raising awareness amongst European operators of the opportunities offered by Misrata and its free trade zone.

Among the elements of greatest interest to operators is the $2.7 billion investment programme for the expansion of the port terminals in Misurata, spearheaded by a consortium led by MSC. According to Tardino, this expansion could open up opportunities for collaboration with Sicilian ports, which are also undergoing infrastructure development.

The aim is to link the expansion of port capacity to the growth in trade, promoting Misurata as an industrial and logistics hub for African markets. In his address to the Libyan-Italian Business and Investment Forum, the Italian Ambassador to Libya, Gianluca Alberini, highlighted the city’s potential as a hub between Europe and Africa, within the framework of the Mattei Plan.

The composition of the Italian delegation reflects the breadth of the sectors involved: construction, infrastructure, agri-food, energy, logistics, transport, mechanical engineering and healthcare. Participants include Fincantieri and the Grimaldi shipping group. The programme combines institutional meetings with bilateral discussions and visits to local manufacturing facilities.

A second area concerns scientific and technological services for animal husbandry and the agri-food sector. At the headquarters of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce in Misrata, Colicchi signed a memorandum with Stefano Petrini, the delegate of Vincenzo Caputo, Director-General of the ‘Togo Rosati’ Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and the Marche.

The agreement covers epidemiological surveillance, the strengthening of Libyan veterinary laboratories, staff training and the monitoring of food of animal origin. The programme includes activities relating to the main infectious diseases affecting livestock, the exchange of epidemiological information and support for the development of prevention and biosecurity plans.

For the laboratories, the collaboration covers molecular and serological diagnostics, quality management and the validation of methods in accordance with international standards. Activities relating to autogenous vaccines and diagnostic reagents are also included, as well as potential initiatives involving technology transfer and local production.

With regard to food, the memorandum provides for microbiological and chemical testing of products of animal origin and fish, monitoring of veterinary drug residues and contaminants, traceability and risk management. This includes studies and interventions on farms rearing dromedaries, cattle, sheep and goats, with a focus on the hygiene and health standards of milk and meat.

Alongside the scientific component, there is a programme of meetings between Italian companies and Libyan operators, business missions, technical visits and the search for partners for investments, joint projects and participation in national and international calls for proposals.

The memorandum is valid for five years from the date of the last signature and is renewable with the consent of the parties. However, it does not set out an immediately enforceable expenditure programme: individual activities must be governed by specific agreements and an annual work plan. Their implementation remains subject to the availability of financial resources and the approval of the governing bodies of the two institutions.

For both agreements, the decisive step will therefore be the definition of operational projects. In the port sector, this will involve identifying sustainable services and traffic opportunities for operators. In the food supply chains, the aim will be to translate training and technical assistance into diagnostic capabilities, monitoring and potential production partnerships. It is against these outcomes that the economic impact of the mission will be measured.

The cooperation agreement forms part of the organisation’s internationalisation strategy and aims to strengthen relations with North African countries, with a view to promoting the development of trade and logistics. The scope of the agreement is outlined by the chairman of the Port System Authority, who links the agreement to the opportunities arising from the shifting geopolitical balance in the Mediterranean.

“I am a firm believer in international cooperation between Italia – Sicily in particular – and the countries of North Africa,” emphasises the president. In his view, the new dynamics brought about by international events may represent “an opportunity for our country and, above all, for our regions”.

The aim is to capitalise on the geographical location of Sicily’s ports and their historical, cultural and economic ties with the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The president highlights the development of the port of Palermo, which he describes as having experienced strong growth and significant infrastructure upgrades in recent years, alongside the role of the other ports managed by the organisation. Among these, the ports on the south-western coast can offer a direct link to North Africa.

The agreement is therefore presented as a means of translating institutional cooperation into economic opportunities for the regions. “I think there could be no better opportunity to try to boost trade and develop logistics by working with North African countries,” concludes the president.

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