LIBYAN CENTRAL BANK ESTABLISHING NEW TRAINING INSTITUTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TRIPOLI 000648

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR DAN HARRIS, DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2016
TAGS: ECON ECIN EFIN LY
SUBJECT: LIBYAN CENTRAL BANK ESTABLISHING NEW TRAINING INSTITUTE

REF: TRIPOLI 561

CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth Fritschle, Pol/Econ Chief, United
States Embassy, DOS.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (U) See action request, Para. 7.


2. (U) The Libyan Central Bank is launching a new training
center to improve employee skills throughout the banking sector,
and its director is open to U.S. offers of assistance. Pol/Econ
Chief and Econoff met with the Libyan Central Bank on the
afternoon of November 6 to discuss the scope and direction of
Central Bank training initiatives and offer appropriate U.S.
assistance. Dr. Omar Bushallah, General Manager of the nascent
Institute of Banking and Financial Studies was joined by Saleh
Keshlaf, Director of the Central Bank Governor's Office (chief
of staff equivalent) for the discussion. Also present were two
representatives from the McKinsey Group, which is currently
engaged in a cooperative study with the Central Bank to upgrade
and privatize the Libyan banking system (see Reftel).


3. (U) The Libyan Central Bank has just begun the process of
standing up the Institute of Banking and Financial Studies,
which was established by a decree from the General People's
Committee Secretariat in late October. Although its bylaws are
still being drafted, it has been decided that the Institute will
replace the existing Central Bank Training Center. Dr.
Bushallah is leading this effort at the Central Bank, and is
developing a two-year training program encompassing three main
skill areas: English language, computer science and
industry-specific technical training. This comprehensive course
of instruction is intended to be a mandatory certification
program for all new employees of Libyan banks. Training
programs for existing employees will also be developed in time.
Dr. Bushallah declared that his Institute will be totally run by
the Central Bank, in tandem with similar programs being
developed by the General People's Committee for Finance or the
General People's Committed for Manpower, Training and Employment.

--------------
An Institute "Matching Our Ambitions"
--------------


4. (U) Dr. Bushallah allowed that the current Central Bank
training center was modest and functional, but he looked forward
to being able to guide visitors through a brand-new facility
that was "something matching our ambitions." He rejected a
suggestion that Libyans could take advantage of excellent
training programs already available in other Arabic-speaking
countries. The current plan calls for the establishment of a
training campus, complete with residence halls, sports
facilities, auditoriums and housing for visiting trainers.
Until that facility becomes reality, the Central Bank will begin
the transition using existing infrastructure. In theory, all of
Libya's state banks will be obligated to provide operational
funding for the new Institute, their required share being
determined based on the number of employees on staff. The
Central Bank will also incorporate the national banks at a
senior level, as their general managers will be required to
serve on the Institute's advisory council. Dr. Bushallah noted
that the Central Bank is already providing English language
training to 500 banking sector employees, and hoped to expand
this program. The Bank is currently employing six English
language trainers contracted through Berlitz in Manchester, UK,
placing them at its Tripoli, Benghazi and Sebha branch offices.
Other part-time instructors have been culled from the Libyan
university system.

-------------- ---
Welcomes U.S. Government Cooperation and Other Training
Opportunities
-------------- ---


5. (C) Dr. Bushallah noted that he intends to generally model
the Institute on the efforts of the GCC states, developing a
highly institutionalized, vice outsourced, national training
model. He stressed that the Central Bank is open to the best
ideas from around the world, and is not wedded to a single
training model. However, while the Central Bank was open to new
ideas, his intention is that all banking sector employees will
be required to complete the Libyan course before being eligible
for training overseas. Pol/Econ Chief described numerous U.S.
training opportunities that were available to the Bank,
highlighting the financial sector service reform programs
available through MEPI and the December 11-13 conference at the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York under the U.S.-Middle
East/North Africa Private Sector Dialogue (U.S.-MENA PSD). Dr.
Bushallah indicated that he was aware of the conference and
agreed that it would be a good opportunity to explore new
avenues of engagement and training (Note: While on the subject
of conferences, Bushallah stated that the planned November 20-21
"Banking and Finance Libya" conference in Tripoli (hosted by
Aisha Qaddafi's Waatasimo Foundation) had been canceled. End
Note). He also said that he would consider any USG proposals
for closer cooperation on sector reform. He mentioned that
several other countries had extended offers for training
assistance and that the Libyans would determine which proposals
were most advantageous (Embassy note: the souk is open. End
note). Asked if the Central Bank Institute could provide
assistance in setting-up appropriate meetings, as well as the
facilitation of visa issuance for a future financial sector
service reform team visit, Dr. Bushallah said that he would
welcome a team with training proposals.


6. (U) Following up on this positive discussion, post's PAO
section is engaging with Dr. Bushallah to provide information on
the full range of U.S. educational training and exchange
programs available to the Central Bank over the coming year.
Post has also reminded the Central Bank about the Federal
Reserve Bank conference in New York, and has encouraged a quick
decision Libyan participation.


7. (C) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: This may be another one
in a continuing series of grandiose Libyan projects that are
announced, but then falter during implementation due to the
complex bureaucracy inherent in a "state of the masses"
governing system. While Embassy has been pressing continually
for an official government reception of a MEPI delegation, we
are most likely to achieve our MEPI objectives if we help the
Libyans achieve some basic comfort level with the scope of
programming. This may be an opportunity to bring in a focused
team of financial sector service reform experts to initiate
programming as a good "foot in the door" project, that could
also be combined with additional work through the Qadhafi
Development Foundation's National Economic Strategy for maximum
impact. Please advise if a financial reform specific visit
might be possible in January or February 2007. END COMMENT AND
ACTION REQUEST.
GOLDRICH