Consumer products boom ongoing

Economic data for Libya suggests that the economy is not doing so bad.
For Austria, our exports for the first quarter 2013  suggests, that we will have a new record in our exports to Libya. Even higher than the previous peak in 2010. Interestingly, this time consumer products, tools and light machinery and pharmaceuticals dominate our exports. WIth consumer products one can observe new products on a weekly basis.
Tools and construction materials are needed to fulfill demand in the equally booming private construction sector. With so much money around, liquidity is being absorbed not by the banking systems (people do not trust banks) but by housing. Even though those houses remain empty after construction, the firm believe is, that there, money is safe. But for how long will this boom last ?
Well, only for few years....  

No Gelatina in front of our office

During the last weeks / months there had been some security reports in Tripoli and surrounding. Nothing to worry about "just small bombs" or "little gelatina" (gelatina is used by local fisherman to fish. it is just thrown into the sea, explodes, and what comes up to the  see is being collected).
So as you can see, nothing really to worry about. In case of the French Embassy there had been a miscalculation. Apparently.
However, we have taken additional measures. As of now on car bombers will find it even more difficult to put their car in front of your office.
Oh, by the way, our neighbours, the Tunisians had this measure since long ago. And the Tchadis are protected in a different manner...

Benzinknappheit die x..te

Und wie das Amen im Gebet (eigentlich das Alahu Akbar bei der Predigt) kommt auch wieder einmal eine kleine Treibstoffkrise auf. Diesmal (wie auch etliche male davor) war ein vor drei Tagen begonnener Streik in Zawiah dafür ausschlaggebend. Die Bevölkerung ist beunruhigt, dass das Bestreiken einer Raffinierie die Nachschubskette unterbricht und man dann wieder ohne Benzin dasteht. Alles schon gehabt. In extremis während der Revolution, als man sich über eine Woche anstellen musste um an Benzin zu kommen.
Ich nehme aber an, dass diesmal, wie die letzten mala auch, nach ein paar Tagen der SPuk vorbei ist.
Die ab August geplante Kürzung der Subventionen werden dann wahrscheinlich das ihrige dzau tun, dass weniger getankt wird.