WT/MIN(24)/ST/134  
26 February  2024 
(24-1894) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR MOHAMMED ALI HAWEG  
MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND TRADE  
LIBYA 
Allow me at the outset to express my gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for the warm reception, 
generous hospitality and the efforts exerted for organizing and hosting this Conference. Also I would 
like to congratulate His Excellency, Dr. Thani Bin Ahme d Al Zeyoudi , UAE's Minister of State for 
Foreign Trade, for chairing the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization. My 
sincere thanks and appreciation also extend to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala , World Trade Organization's 
Director -General, a nd to the Secretariat General for their valuable efforts in organizing this 
Conference.  
 
This meeting comes at an important time to discuss the issues of international trade; we hope that 
this meeting will come up with positive results that serve all part ies. Trade is not only an engine for 
growth, but rather a way to achieve peace and sustainable development goals.  
 
The past years have witnessed major challenges and crises, from C OVID -19 pandemic, geostrategic 
tensions, climate change, inflation, and oth er issues, all of which have had enormous impacts on 
economic growth and global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG - 2030).  
Although the economies of all countries were affected by these crises, the impact  on LDC and 
developing count ries was more severe, which resulted in these countries falling into compound 
economic crises, as the number of people suffering from food insecurity increased dramatically, the 
debt crisis exacerbated and unemployment rates rose to the point that nearly 3 .3 billion people live 
in countries where more is spent on debt -servicing repayment than on education and health. This 
means perpetuation of poverty and a decline in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  
 
My country has taken serious steps within t he framework of inclusive ambitious economic reforms 
through the program known as "Recovery & Peacebuilding Project ".  
 
The main objective is achieving economic, political and security stability in cooperation with 
international partners. An economic diver sification strategy has also been adopted in order to 
increase the contribution of non -oil sectors to the GDP, and enhance the ability of Libyan products 
to access foreign markets. Economic and industrial free zones have been established, benefiting 
from L ibya's geographical location in transit trade in a way that contributes to strengthening Libya 's 
economic and commercial relations. Libya will be one of the free trade logistics zones on the African 
continent, and will certainly be supportive of the object ives of the World Trade Organization.   
  
Work is underway to update the investment map for foreign and local investment. The aim of the 
new legislations will give more privileges to attract more FDI.   
 
The Libya Trade Net which works under the auspice of Ministry of Economy & Trade was established 
to promote e -commerce, and facilitate foreign trade. The Libya Trade Net has contributed to the 
wide spread of e -commerce in Libya.  
 
The Action Digital Platfo rm, also known as EJRAAT, has been launched with the aim of facilitating 
trade between the EU Member States and the Southern Mediterranean countries.  
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  As for food security, the Grain Agency has been established to ensure food security in Libya. 
especially  on the time where we witness shortage in food supply chains due to geostrategic conflicts, 
the climate change crisis, and other challenges.  
 
At the end we wish all success and positive outcome for this important meeting.   
 
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