Agriculture Minister aims to boost trade with Libya

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker met last week in Tripoli with Abu Bakr Mabruk al-Mansuri, who heads the Libyan People's Committee for Agriculture, Maritime and Animal Resources. Eker and al-Mansuri share a common goal of boosting bilateral agricultural cooperation and investment ties, said Eker's office. The two also agreed to cooperate intensively in commerce and agriculture. During the meeting, Eker said Libya's agriculture and investment opportunities should be considered in detail, adding that Turkish investors have to know what kind of incentives and opportunities Libya offers. Libyan officials said they could allocate 60,000 hectares of land for Turkish investors to produce wheat and corn. Libya, whose volume in the food processing sector is very high, has the potential to become Turkey's gateway to Africa, said the ministry. Eker is also set to hold meetings with Matuq Muhammad Matuq, the head of Libya's People's Committee for Public Works, and Muhammad Ali al-Huwayz, who heads the People's Committee for the Economy, Trade and Investment.