Pre-engineered industrial buildings in Libya

Radio 1, the Belgian radio news channel, interviewed Bob Desmet, Export Manager for the Africa & Middle East area. Main topic of the interview was investing in Libya during the Arab Spring revolution.

Click here to hear the interview (in Dutch)

This is what has been told…

NOTE : this article has been written in August 2011, it may be possible that the events as described hereunder aren’t up-to-date anymore

Fact is that Frisomat built several pre-engineered buildings in Libya. In 2009, we participated in the largest irrigation project in the world… the Great Man Made River Project. A large network of pipes for fresh water supply from the Sahara Desert to provide Tripoli, Benghazi and Sirte. 1.300 wells were tapped with pipes going more than 500m deep. A total of 4 Astra-hangars house control panels and Gas Insulated Switchgears for the electric power distribution.

Due to the revolution, a lot of major building projects were cancelled or suspended. Frisomat was also affected. We were planning to build a big industrial building, serving as a garage. Due to the turmoil, financing the project proved out to be a difficult and seemingly impossible task. The project was cancelled early February 2011.

Africa is booming

In Northern Africa, Frisomat concentrates mainly on Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Africa itself is a challenging market, but Libya asks for a different approach. To do business, you need a front-rank business partner to introduce you with decision makers.

Libya, just like Africa, is a booming market thanks to the massive oil and gas supplies. Exploitation of these reserves is ongoing, but things aren’t finished yet. This brings new possibilities for Frisomat. Our industrial buildings are perfectly suited for oil and gas activities. The strong belief in export (from a European point of view) gives a lot of opportunities throughout Africa.

Before foreign companies can start up activities in Libya, peace and legal certainty has to return. A good climate for investment has to be set up before pre-engineered buildings can be assembled (from the Frisomat point of view). Currently life is too chaotic and restless.

Future ?