Train4TradeSkills News: Are there set to be jobs for UK contractors to rebuild Libya?

UK construction firms travel to Libya to help rebuild war-torn country.

A collection of UK construction firms have travelled to Libya to discuss rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and economy, which has been damaged or destroyed by months of civil war in the country.

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green went to the Libyan capital Tripoli, along with construction firms Arup, AMEC, Mott Macdonald, as well as oil giants BP and Shell, to meet with the National Transitional Council (NTC), to discuss the rebuilding of Libya.

Prime Minister David Cameron, along with the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, visited Tripoli two weeks ago and this visit is an extension of that, and to try and get work for UK contractors to help rebuild the country.

Lord Green has said: “When the Prime Minister travelled to Libya earlier this month, he made clear the UK’s commitment to helping the National Transitional Council, and any future government in Libya, rebuild their country.

“The international community, including British businesses, can play a role in Libya’s reconstruction and my visit today is a chance to discuss with the NTC their priorities for the coming days and months.”

Nothing is likely to happen in Libya yet, at least until the NTC has full control of the country and/or Colonel Gaddafi has been found.

But it’s looking good for the UK’s chances of gaining work in Libya as Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the NTC leader, has signalled that allies can expect preferential treatment while opponents of Nato’s role, such as Russia, China and Germany, who were slow to reveal their anti-Gaddafi stance, will likely miss out.

Update: After the news last week that Colonel Gaddafi was captured and killed, UK construction firms and the UKTI are travelling to Libya to meet with senior figures in the new Libyan government to discuss whether they can help rebuild the country. We’ll have more news on this as soon as it’s announced.

What do you think of this – are the UK likely to win work in Libya? Let us know and comment below:

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