Issue 5: On the Ground in Benghazi, new tenders alert, and more

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:50:05 +0000

Libya Wire is a newsletter focused on reconstruction and economic development issues. A product of Ishtirak and the Avicenna Group, Libya Wire is written by Arabic speaking professionals and policy analysts with decades of Libya-specific experience and deep contact networks.

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IN THIS ISSUE

1.      Dancing in Sidi Hussein and the Future of Libya – Omar Benhalim
2.      Current Tender Alert
3.      Libya Wire Community Classifieds

Dancing in Sidi Hussein and the Future of Libya

By Omar Benhalim

Driving around the back streets of the Sidi Hussein district of Benghazi, I see something that I have never witnessed before in Libya. A camping lantern illuminates the deepening darkness of a cold winter night, a boom box is loudly blaring dance music and a large group of young boys is dancing with carefree abandon. Swirling, turning and laughing, they seem utterly free in the exhilaration of the moment. They range in age from 6 to 12, or 13. I have never before witnessed such a public unbridled display of fun in Libya. This is in stark contrast to the general air of pessimism pervading Benghazi these days.

This is my third visit in less than two months and the fourth since the end of July, 2011. Each visit has had its separate emotional imprint. Exhilaration in July gave way to trepidation in December. The cautiously realistic optimism of January has paved the way for a deepening sense of the enormity of the task that lies ahead and the “slow” pace of change. I try to encourage by telling people that it has taken years for New Orleans to recover post-Katrina; of how the city overcame the doubters and recovered successfully. This seems to make matters worse. If it takes five years of the combined efforts of the public and private sectors in the USA to re-build one American city, what are the odds on rebuilding Libya any time soon, they ask? People question their ability to last through the process of transformation; older couples with adult children openly speak of emigration, of wanting a peaceful, comfortable retirement.

Such dread is entirely understandable, of course. People are tired of the uncertainty. They are impatient with what they see as ineffectiveness of the National Transitional Council. They are outraged at the abundance of Gaddafi era officials in the “temporary” government led by Prime Minister al-Keeb. They are tired of the continuing prevalence of corruption in the public sphere. They are paranoid that their revolution is being “stolen.” Both the NTC and Government are seen as weak and unable to provide the basic security citizens crave. Ordinary people continue to be grateful to the militias for the security which they provide, even as they look forward to their eventual absorption in a State apparatus. However, with the continuing absence of an effective police force and judiciary, lawlessness is undoubtedly on the increase, to the great alarm of the citizenry.

It is, of course, way too early to tell which way Libya is going to go. It may descend into the chaos of a Somalia or the rigid intolerance of an Afghanistan. I personally doubt it. If I were a betting man, I would place a good sized wager on a successful Libya. Something tells me that that those laughing, dancing boys are a better indicator of the future of Libya than predictions of doom and gloom. If Libya is able to overcome the many challenges it faces, I hope everyone gets a place at the table. A strongly patriarchal society, Libya will need to find a way to include the many constituencies that are largely excluded from the political and economic processes; especially women, minorities and the young.

Omar Benhalim is Co-Founder of The Avicenna Group.

CURRENT TENDER ALERT

Please note, these are links to the original issuing company – not to a third-party website that requires registration or payment. Currently open tenders include:

Purchase and Procure 4 Surface Beam Pumping Units for Beda Oil Field Wells– Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 19/4/2012

Announcement of General Tenders– Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 19/4/2012

Aviation Services contact company directly for details– Akakus Oil Operations – Due 12/3/2012

Pre-qualification Announcement for Freight Forwarding & Shipping companies– Zueitinia Oil Company – Due 8/3/2012

Refurbishment of the Old Building at Hamada Field NC– Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 22/3/2012

LIBYA WIRE COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS

*To list an item email info@libyawire.com

Libya Market Research and Entry Strategy: Full range of commercial consulting services for Libya, including market entry strategy, logistics, custom research, lead generation/ marketing, and introductions to our extensive network of contacts in the Libyan business community. If you have a question about doing business or reconstruction work in Libya please contact Ethan Chorin at info@libyawire.com.

Working, Living and Succeeding in Libya is our customized cross-cultural training for your Libya bound executives and personnel. Our US and Libya based trainers can give your Libya bound staff the essential tools they need to succeed in the labyrinth maze of this complex and wonderful country. For more information please contact me, Omar Benhalim, at omar.benhalim@benhalim.com

Arabic Translation Services:Industry Arabic is a full-service Arabic translation company that uses tested, proven translators to get big jobs done fast and with zero hassle. Visit IndustryArabic.com for a free and fast quote.

Freedom House Seeks Libya Project Director: The Project Director will support the goal of fostering an independent, dynamic, and effective civil society to play a key role in Libya’s democratic transition through initiatives in advocacy, civic education, government accountability, and citizen mobilization. He/she will establish Freedom House’s on-the-ground presence in Libya, with technical support from our Tunisia office. Link

Vacancy: Prosthetic Orthotic Technician – International Medical Corps: The goal of this project is to strengthen the physical rehabilitation services in various areas of Libya, through upgrading of primary rehabilitation and the development of community and outreach services. Link

Experienced and Reliable Web Designer specializing in consulting, designing and optimizing WordPress blog sites. We support media, maximum exposure through integrated social networking, expert video production/integration into your site, and a can-do attitude that will work for you. http://yournumber1helper.wordpress.com/ Email: rimrieoffice@gmail.com

Investment & Input for State of the Art Hospital Construction: Hospital will be built and equipped through public-private participation and a build operate own basis. Project is in its early stages. Email: Dr. Mohamad Bahri here: byz@wanadoo.fr.

Residential Property Developer & Investor Required for construction investment in under housed area of Libya. Potential sale to government or banks. Planning permission for 20 x 5 floor buildings. Contact: Patrick Harrison on LinkedIn, CEO – Middle East and North Africa Site Sale Solutions (UAE).

Building and Grounds for Rent: On Airport Road in Tripoli. Suitable as company headquarters or rehabilitation center. Owners prefer two year tenancy for reputable international company or international humanitarian organization, and are willing to offer attractive price for an organization willing to repair modest damage and maintain the premises. Send responses to: info@libyawire.com.

Prefabricated and Modular Units: ISO Containers, Steel Boxes, Chemical Toilets, Clinics, Storage Units: For information contact: info@avicennagroup.org

Vacancy: Oil & Gas Specialist Needed for Libyan Recruitment Consultancy: Ably Resources, a part of the Denholm Group (founded 1866), is seeking a recruitment consultant with a focus on the Oil and Gas markets. The business will be involved in exploration, HSEQ, drilling, engineering & operations, shutdowns, construction and electrical power distribution. Visit here.

Structural Steel Design Engineer Urgently Needed in Tripoli: Interested applicants should contact: james.drury@med-recruit.com.

Local Representative for International Construction Company: American company seeks local agent to represent medical and construction-related products. Send responses to: info@libyawire.com.

Land Mine and Explosive Remnants Removal: Contact Green Libya Petro-Services Inc at info@greenlibya.ly.

Distributor for Singer Sewing Machines & Ironing Equipment: Domestic & Industrial Ironing Products. Email rami.ghawi@gmail.com, +962-77-7377643

Libya Investment Forum: NTC-Sponsored, March 19th-21st 2012 (Corinthia Hotel, Tripoli). More info at: www.libyainvestmentforum.com

Notice:Readers are recommended to perform due diligence and take appropriate advice before sending money, incurring any expense or entering into a binding commitment in relation to an advertisement.

Ishtirak and the Avicenna Group shall not be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting or offering to accept an invitation contained in any advertisement published in Libya Wire.

ABOUT ISHTIRAK

Ishtirak(Arabic translation “Partnership, Participation, Subscription”) is a business development firm, specializing in Middle East and African markets. Since 2000, we have helped multinational companies, private foundations and governments create effective market entry strategies, hone and deliver messages, and develop lasting, innovative partnerships. All of our staff have spent the majority of their careers in the region, and are recognized international experts in the politics and economy of specific countries in the region. For more information visit www.ishtirak.org.

ABOUT THE AVICENNA GROUP

The Avicenna Group was founded in April of 2011 by Omar Benhalim and Ethan Chorin to address conflict-related medical needs in Libya. One of our first activities was to provide financing guarantees for a national trauma-crisis hotline. Current projects include designing and constructing a 2700 sq ft training center in Benghazi and facilitating short term medical and management trainings by members of US based teaching hospitals in Eastern Libya. For more information visit http://www.avicennagroup.org.

THE LIBYA WIRE TEAM

Ethan Chorin was posted to Tripoli from 2004-2006 as the first permanently-assigned U.S. Commercial/Economic officer. In this capacity, he advised hundreds of U.S. companies on Libyan business opportunities, and reported in detail on various aspects of the Libyan economy, with a focus on the oil and gas industry. From 2008-2011 he was head of CSR at the Dubai-based port operator DP World, and was 2011 Social Enterprise Fellow at the Yale School of Business. He is the author of the first joint U.S. Department of Commerce/State Guide to Doing Business in Libya, Translating Libya (Saqi Press, 2008), and a chapter on the history of U.S.-Libyan Commercial Relations in Dirk Vandewalle’s Libya since 1969: Qadhafi’s Revolution Revisited. A book on the origins of the Libyan uprising will be published in Summer, 2012.

Will Ward is presently consulting for an NGO in Tripoli and holds a Masters degree in Middle East Studies from Oxford University. He is an associate at Ishtirak and the co-founder of the Arabic translation services company Industry Arabic.

Spencer Witte is a researcher and political analyst with a Masters in Middle East Studies from St. Antony’s College, Oxford. Prior to joining Ishtirak, he reported from Beirut during the 2006 Lebanon‐Israel War, and has published in the Journal of International Higher Education and Jane’s Defense Weekly/Islamic Affairs Analyst.

Questions on working in Libya? Just respond to this message – we read every response.

Current Tenders for Libya – 23 February 2012

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:39:07 +0000

We are pleased to send you this updated list of currently open tenders in Libya. Please note, these are links to the original issuing company – not to a third-party website that requires registration or payment. Currently open tenders include:

Pre-Qualification Announcement for Shipping and Freight Forwarding Companies – Zueitinia Oil Company – Due 3/8/2012

Aero Gravity and Magnetic Data Interpretation Proposal for Cyrenaica Platform(Extended) – Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 3/22/2012

Bouri field Telecommunications’ equipments (UPS) system replacement Project – Mellitah Oil & Gas B.V – Prequal docs Due 2/28/2012

Catering and Cleaning Recessed Headquarters – Benghazi – Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 3/29/2012

Replacement of Trunkline – Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 3/29//2012

Well Tests In All Sites – Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 3/29//2012

Up-Grading Of High Pressure Fuel Gas System At Nafoora Power Plant M-53 – Arabian Gulf Oil Company – Due 3/29//2012

Supply and Transportation of Water – Mabruk Oil Operations – Due 2/29/2012

Sincerely,
The Libya Wire Team

PS: We are now offering a full-service concierge service in Tripoli and Benghazi. This includes visa support, airport pickup and local transportation through our trusted local partner, interpretation, meeting facilitation, and more. For more details and to request a personalized quote Click Here.