Budget for Libya 2013

Of last year´s budget, nearly 10 billion Dinars (6 billion Euros) were not spent. They were given back to the Central Bank where they await further use. In the meantime 2013´s budget is just on the edge of being aproved. This would be really great news then many state owned institutions are waiting for the budget to be allocated in order to to their long awaited orders and contracts. But is it really? The events of the last two days, where "Thuars" and wounded from the Revolution stormed the General National Congress, delayed the process. During the session where the budget was about to be approved, the Congress was stormed. The GNC then decided to move to Tajura, some 20kms away from Tripoli, in order to being able to continue their session. But you know what ? The "Thuars" followed them there and stormed the session another time. The next day they moved to another area (Krimea), where the session was also not friction free.
Lets hope for a a budget within the next few days, it would give a lot of impetus to all economic activity in the country.
Comment from a reader yesterday (thanks Tameem): The budget surplus was even 36 bn LD, which is 20 billion Euros.

What really happened, Part 2

Truth is a daughter of time, and the time has come to continue the story of
"What really happened".
If this does not ring a bell immediately, I recommend you first read my Blog entry about my abduction in November last year:

http://wdintripolis.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-really-happened.html

So, after I flew to Vienna, we informed the Libyan authorities that I had been abducted, mistreated, beaten and finally handed over to a nearby militia.
It was quite easy for one of my colleagues to find out the identity of the aggressors. After my colleague (through the help of a militia) came into contact with the two attackers he found out they were a middle class Libyan family who even own a not so small business. They then came to our office and tried to start negotiating how the case could be settled. At the same time they apologized and said they were extremely sorry, but several circumstances led to their acts.

After I came back to Tripoli we first met the two brothers of the attackers (in total they are four brothers) and then the two other brothers in person at the headquarter of the militia that had originally taken care of me. They are stationed in a nice villa of a former regime person (see first photo).
They apologized at first instance, started kissing and hugging me and stating that if they knew me from the beginning they would never have done that again.
"Mr.David, you are such a nice person. You know Manner Schnitten? I always buy them for my kids."
After that, we still made it clear to them that taking me for an Israeli spy, looking for positions to bomb in Tripoli was a pure stupidity. However they argued, that I was wearing a GPS watch and it was clear to them that I was marking bombing positions for Israel, who had just the day before attacked Gaza.
They then went on admitting that they had drunken "a bit" of alcohol, and then, especially one of the brothers would become a wild beast.

In the end we hugged and one of the brothers revealed that they had a car washing station.
Whenever i felt like, I could come to wash my car at their place in the future.
If I had any problems with people from my neighbourhood, I should even contact them.

Church of Santa Maria

A church in a small provincial Italian town ?
No, downtown Tripoli !
It´s the church of Santa Maria, in the middle of the old town. When I tried to visit it with the trade delegation last week, it was closed. However, people are taking care of that church dating back to the 17th century, rebuilt in the 19th century.
So, to all my Christian readers; Have a nice sunday ! 

Visit to LISCO in Misrata

Misrata has a special status for Austria: It is here where our industrial pioneers, engineers of VOEST built a steel factory in the 80ies. A big steel factory. And although Libya does neither have electric energy nor ore in abundance, the factory is a success story.
It is not a surprise Mr.Figi, the General Director of LISCO (Libyan Steel Company) is happy to see visits from Austria. Stefan Pistauer, regional director for Africa and the Middle East of Advantage Austria paid a visit together with some companies and was treated like a king.
Thank you Misrata !

First trade mission after security alert

Austria first again. After weeks of uncertainty, security warnings and airlines not flying to Tripoli, we managed to be the first country having a trade mission afer the happenings. The outcome was very positive, almost everybody was surprised how calm and smooth everything went. Those who have deals in the private sector were definitely more happy than those companies who deal mostly with the government, as public projects are still halted. However, today our trade mission is over. After four days full of meetings the participants are mostly on their way back to Vienna (some decided to extend their stay). Our next event will be the group stand at Libya Build in May 2013. The floor is open for other countries to come.

Abdul Gerdschi

Na da schau Dir das einmal an:
Da kommt gestern der Josef Famler von der VAOS und bringt doch glatt einen neuen libyschen Geschäftspartner mit. So dachten wir zumindestens, als wir das erste mal hinsahen.  Es kam meinen Gästen und mir dann aber doch ein wenig eigenartig vor, dass er nahezu ohne Akzent deutsch sprach. Der Akzent stellte sich dann nicht als "arabisch" heraus, sondern war reinstes oberösterreicherisch.
Ist halt einfach jetzt gerade mega-in sich so einen Bart wachsen zu lassen. Dann noch ein wenig  von den Taten die man in der Revolution vollbracht hat, erzaehlen, und man ist dabei.
Und der "Gesuchte" ist ?
Also meine lieben Leser. Mal sehen wer ein echter Libyen Exprte ist ! Alle Antworten sind willkommen.

Recently in Mansur

Just a short notice and a nice pic from a walk through the Mansur quarter in Tripoli before my trade mission arrives with Austrian Airlines ! (yes, they resumed flying yesterday)

http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/02/23/austrian-trade-delegation-to-visit-tripoli-25-28-february/