The legal expert in the oil sector, Othman Al-Hdhiri, wrote:
What is the use of holding conferences and seminars that lead nowhere?
Many of us may wonder: the Ministry of Oil and the National Oil Corporation repeatedly hold conferences and seminars from time to time, even though these gatherings bring nothing new. They waste public funds—hundreds of thousands of dollars—without convincing investors or major international oil-service companies to return to Libya. What is the reason behind this? I say:
The conferences themselves are often showpieces, lacking real substance. They repeat the same speeches and promises, and there are no tangible results after each conference. Investors are not convinced by words—they are convinced by real action, based on practical regulations and realistic plans.
Therefore, the problem is not in holding conferences and seminars. The issue lies in the absence of the essential conditions that would make global investors willing to take the risk of returning. No speech or seminar will persuade major companies to come back unless the following happen:
- Political stability under a single unified government.
- Security guarantees for oil fields and ports.
- Clear and investment-friendly laws and regulations, respect for court rulings, and a stable, harmonious relationship between the ministry, the National Oil Corporation, and its affiliated companies.
- A balanced relationship with international oil partners.
- Transparency and a professional working environment, through competent, legally independent tender committees.
- Ready-to-implement projects with real economic feasibility, executed by major, highly experienced companies—not small, inefficient ones.
- And most importantly: administrative stability in the oil sector, supported by strong financial and technical capacity at all levels. Otherwise, we will keep going in circles, only to end up lost.
Will we learn and restore the sector to its international standing, to preserve the wealth of the Libyan people and the future of their children?
