PROJECT LIBYA: EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE INFRASTRUCTURE AND

UNCLAS TRIPOLI 000557 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/MAG COMMERCE FOR NATE MASON DOE FOR GINA ERICKSON AND GEORGE PERSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CMGT ECON EIND EINV ENRG EPET ETRD LY SUBJECT: PROJECT LIBYA: EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ¶1. The 4-7 December Project Libya exhibition is underway following a well-attended press launch on September 17. Organizers Montgomery Libya and Sahara Expo Libya presided over a packed house of reporters, businessmen and local embassy staff at the Corinthia Hotel. Jeremy Sale, Montgomery Libya's Project Director for Libya, took the lead at the press conference, and reviewed both the expected participants in the project, and its politically-connected GOL backing. Hotel arrangements and visa support for attendees will be coordinated by Mr. Saleh Ben-Saleh of the Libya Businessman's Council. The Wa'atassemo Charity Society's Abdul Nasser Nageh, Chairman of the Conferences Committee also offered his assistance in addressing whatever issues arise. He told P/E Chief that Ali Aujali of the Libyan People's Bureau (Embassy) in Washington agreed to expedite visa requests, although there would be a 100 Libyan dinar surcharge for any "airport" visas stamped in passports at Tripoli International Airport. He described a multi-step process, whereby exhibition participants would send an application via a designated U.S. travel agent to the Libyan Businessmen's Council. Then the Business Council will coordinate with the Wa'atessemo Society to issue letters of support to the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Relations Consular Department and Americas Department, as well as the Immigration Department. After the Immigration Department clears all the applications and issues approval numbers, the Libyan Businessmen's Council will convey that information to the designated U.S. travel agent, who will in turn contact the exhibition participant and coordinate submission of all the required paperwork to the Libyan People's Bureau. He acknowledged that there were many potential areas for a breakdown in communication and visa delays. -------------- Lineup of GOL Committees Sponsoring the Exhibition -------------- ¶2. Project Libya will be hosted under the patronage of Dr. Aisha Muammar al-Qaddafi and her Wa'atassemo Foundation, and consist of two distinct exhibitions: Infrastructure Libya and Energy Libya (or the International Exhibition and Forum for Libya's Infrastructure and Economic Development and the Libyan International Oil, Gas, Power and Renewable Energy Exhibition and Forum),both to be held at the Tripoli International Fairground. The exhibition will be paired with a running series of parallel seminars covering a broad range of infrastructure and energy issues, and the organizers are still soliciting presenters for an anticipated forty-eight separate fora. The exhibitions boast a panoply of cooperating GOL entities, including the General People's Committee for Planning, General Board of Infrastructure and Urban Development, Inspector General of Housing and Utilities, General People's Committee for Industry, Electricity and Mines, National Oil Corporation (NOC) and General Electric Company of Libya (along with a dozens of supporting organizations). A representative for the NOC provided words of support at the event, noting Libya's plans to increase oil production and the massive foreign investment that endeavor will require. -------------- -------------- ~and Great Expectations For The International Crowd -------------- -------------- ¶3. Montgomery Libya highlighted the anticipated establishment of pavilions by the US, UK, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, Singapore, Canada, France, Malta, Turkey and South Korea. Pol/Econ Chief addressed the audience to emphasize the Commerce Department's certification of Project Libya and and U.S. interest in expanding the bilateral economic and commercial relationship. Major corporations Chevron, Baker Hughes, Booz Allen Hamilton, Conoco Phillips, Halliburton, Marathon and Occidental were highlighted as key exhibitors and sponsors of the event. ¶4. The exhibition organizers request that the U.S. government consider providing speakers for the program, although at this time they do not have a list of planned seminars or topics. At this point, they are trying to encourage people to attend the event, and will plan workshops or speakers later. Nageh said that "networking" was the primary motivation for the event and that his goal was to get "buzz" by adding high-profile names to the promotional materials. ¶5. Looking ahead, next year's Project Libya has been booked at the Tripoli International Fairground from 3-6 December 2007. BERRY