Detailed Report On Turkish-Libyan Relations

The more than 500 years of common history between Libya and Turkey has made the Turkish-Libyan relationship between the two countries so close and strong that Libya is at the top of the list of countries whose citizens invest in Turkey. Turkish investors play an important role in investing in Libya. Turkish construction companies first started operating in Libya in 1972. Since then, Turkish companies have signed contracts worth US$40 billion in the construction sector in Libya alone, and this figure is expected to increase will increase in the future.

History of Turkey-Libya Relations

The history of Turkish-Libyan relations can be traced back to the Spanish invasion of Libya, when people in the Libyan resistance asked the Ottoman Empire to help them liberate Libya from the Spanish invasion in 1552, when they demanded an end to the injustices of the Spanish country, and Thanks to this official appeal, the then Libyan people were spared the colonial threat for centuries.

According to Turkish writers and researchers, in 1911, the Ottoman Empire sent troops to defend Libya after Italy intended to occupy it.
After the Italians evacuated and established the Senusi Kingdom in Libya, King Idris Senusi's first visit was to Turkey. The king also asked the Turk Sa'dullah Kologlu to become the first prime minister of the Kingdom of Libya. Libya between 1949 and 1952.

Turks in Libya: Turkey's Presence in Libya

With regard to the presence of Turks in Libya, the term "Libyan Turkmen" arose, referring to the Turks who were in Libya during the Ottoman rule in 1551. The Turkish population in Libya reached about 35,000 before the most recent wave of Turkish immigration to Libya occurred in 1975, and the number of Turkish workers in Libya reached about 107,000 in 1985.

Libyans in Turkey: Libyan Presence in Turkey

Just as the ancient Turks were present in Libya, so is the Libyan presence in Turkey, and Turkish literature glorifies Ahmed Sanusi, who came from Libya to take part in the Turkish War of Independence. Currently, Libyans congregate in several areas, such as the Laleli neighborhood in Istanbul's famous Aksaray district, which looks like a mini-Libya, as the population of the neighborhood is estimated at 35,000 and most of the shops, restaurants and neighborhood Businesses are owned by Libyan citizens, while merchants pump the water. Libyans have hundreds of millions of dollars in assets in this important region, most of them are holders and owners of major large commercial and economic companies, and they come to Turkey for treatment, business, study and residence.

What is the Current Relationship Between Turkey and Libya?

According to economists, Libya is one of the most important components of the so-called "blue home" doctrine in Turkish politics, in addition to the recent agreements signed by the two countries, which are a key to Libya's strength and the importance of the relationship between the two countries. Important indicators. It is expected that with the advancement of the Libyan political process, Turkey-Libya relations will gain significant momentum and speed up, and the areas of cooperation between Turkey and Libya in Libya's national reconstruction, infrastructure and superstructure construction, and the revival of the common free market will be further expanded. . Cooperation in other cultural and civil fields and everything that can strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Major Turkish Investments in Libya and Their Volumes

After the Libyan and Turkish governments signed two memorandums of understanding on November 27, 2019, Libyan authorities opened their doors to Turkish investors, especially in the building and construction sector, and Turkish investment in Libya increased significantly.

According to the Chairman of the Turkish-Libyan Economic Council of the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Council: The level of investment in all sectors in Libya is estimated at $120 billion, mainly among female contractors.

In Libya alone, the volume of projects implemented by Turkish investors in the construction sector exceeds $28 billion.

Several Turkish companies are working on projects in Libya to develop some power stations and build new ones. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency "TIKA" implements many projects in Libya, especially in the fields of technology, education and health. A major player in Libya, as Libya's tireless efforts to partner with and benefit from Turkish companies currently number more than 48 Turkish companies operating in Libya.

Major Libyan Investments in Turkey and Their Volumes

Libyan citizens have been among the most sophisticated foreigners doing business and investing in Turkey for the past three years, especially when it comes to real estate investments in Turkey.

Libyans are also covered by the Turkish Citizenship Law of September 19, 2018, which allows applicants to apply for Turkish citizenship for those who own property worth $250,000 in Turkey, after meeting all relevant conditions and documents.

After the Turkish government amended several laws, the most important of which was the one passed in 2012 that opened up any type of property, be it apartments, villas or shops, to foreigners in Turkey, Libyans are entitled to be able to live without Investing and buying real estate in Turkey without any conditions or restrictions, which in turn leads to an increase in the number of Libyans and Libyan capital owners in the Turkish labor market and real estate market.

Trade Between Turkey and Libya

Turkey is an indispensable business partner of Libya, and the general trend of the current Turkish government is to naturalize employers, students, and workers because they add value to the Turkish economy and the entire Turkish state, thereby attracting Libyan capital into Turkey. investment.

Turkish Exports to Libya

At present, Turkey's trade export volume to Libya is 2 billion US dollars per year, and the annual import value is 350 million US dollars. Before 2010, the trade volume between the two countries was close to 10 billion US dollars.

According to Turkey's Anadolu Agency, Turkey's exports to Libya increased by 58% in the first four months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Turkish officials also confirmed that they aim to increase Turkish exports to Libya to the level of $10 billion per year.

Regarding Turkey's exports to Libya, it is worth mentioning that dozens of products such as furniture, paper, wood and steel products, carpets, materials, chemical products, jewelry, grains, beans, oilseeds, chicken, carpets, steel products, etc. export items.

Libyan Exports to Turkey

Libya is three days away from Turkey by sea and two hours by air, which means it has a very attractive position for Turkish companies to import products from Libya.

The "Maritime Zone Agreement" between Turkey and Libya is also expected to help strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries in the next phase.

In this regard, the Turkey-Libya Trade Platform was launched in Istanbul, Turkey in mid-October 2020, with the participation of 200 Libyan governmental and non-governmental economic institutions to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Trade Volume Between Turkey and Libya

At the start of the second decade of the 21st century, trade between Turkey and Libya was close to $10 billion, while projects and investments in the construction sector alone were worth around $15 billion.

According to the Turkish Exporters Council, Turkey's exports to Libya in the January-July 2021 period rose 58% to $325 million compared to the same period last year.

Libyan Investment in Turkish Real Estate

Benefits offered by Turkey to Turkish property owners help to encourage Libyan investors to invest in Turkey, especially in the real estate sector. Libyan property owners are granted residence permits in Turkey, giving their owners the right to enter and exit Turkey without the need for an entry visa. , and grants the owner the right to move within the city. He also has the right to grant real estate residency to his wife and children through properties he owns, for a period of one or two years, renewable.

The Future of Turkey-libya Relations

The data show that the future of Turkey-Libya relations will confirm the importance of Turkey-Libya relations, the growth of investment role and trade flows between Turkey and Libya, and the increased presence of Libyan communities in Turkey and their ownership and investment in real estate, because Libya Humans are one of the most popular nationalities to invest in Turkey to obtain Turkish citizenship. If we look at the Turkish Statistical Institute data on Turkish real estate sales, we will see a steady increase in the number of Libyans buying real estate in Turkey, which will help to further cement the strong friendship between the two governments, leading to a cooperation agreement and mutual understanding and strong local influence between the two countries.