Development Planning in Post-Civil War Libya: AfDB calls for transition from resource-rich country to a productive economy

TUNIS, Tunisia, September 11, 2013/ -- In its economic report titled: “From Resource-rich State to a Productive Economy: Development Planning in Post-Civil War Libya”, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group (http://www.afdb.org) analyzes the change that needs to occur in Libya as it is about to engage in a process of long-term economic planning in the wake of the civil war. This change consists in transitioning from an economy based mainly on oil revenues in a system with virtually no national institutions to guide development towards a new state in which economic institutions are more inclusive and integrated. The report includes a series of recommendations to catalyze the planning efforts of the new Libya. It primarily underscores the need to improve knowledge of institutions. In this context, it is important to develop information collection capacity to provide the state with more means to design development policies and plan for centralized information collection available to the public. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the need to improve economic governance. The document proposes the creation of independent teams to manage wealth and the decentralization of the country’s economy, where possible and feasible. Regarding the country’s business environment, the paper underscores the importance of developing, strengthening and making public investment codes, further streamlining the country’s bureaucracy accordingly and supporting ongoing efforts aimed at reforming the banking sector. Finally, regarding the role of the government and private sector, the document proposes the development of plans for the state’s disengagement, excluding the oil sector. This requires the development of other initiatives to support the private sector and the preparation of other plans to promote greater economic diversification while creating robust social safety nets. The document notes progress made by the country, starting with the building and revitalization of institutions a year after the end of the civil war. The Bank is advocating this change and believes that such an initiative could be used to boost the country’s economic and social situation.