Exploring business potential in Libya
18 March 2009
Opportunities to develop significant business links were investigated during a recent trip to Libya.
The trip was a joint venture between LJMU, represented by Godfrey Mazhindu (Dean of the Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences) and Jon Barrett (Director of Commercial Enterprise), Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust (RLBUHT) represented by Diane Wake (Director of Nursing and Quality and Director of Infection Prevention and Control), and Apex Global, represented by Mark Brown (Managing Director).
Recent developments within Libya have provided considerable opportunity for UK-based organisations to establish long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships, in particular in the areas of health and education.
Prior to the trip, Jon Barrett had already started investigations into a potential contract initiated by the Faculty of Business and Law. This visit was an opportunity to build on this work as well as explore other possibilities in the health sector.
During their visit to Libya, representatives of LJMU, RLBUHT and Apex Global had a chance to visit a number of universities and hospitals, namely the 7th October Hospital and the Arab Medical University in Benghazi and the Alfateh Medical University in Tripoli. In principle, agreements were made regarding a consultancy programme between the three visiting organisations and the 7th October hospital to raise the standards of healthcare in Benghazi and with both Universities to establish a range of collaborative projects.
Jon Barrett said: "We are still at the early stages of exploring the potential for these projects and negotiating with the Libyan authorities. Clearly, they could become significant commercial activities for LJMU. Our visit has enabled us to make important contacts and establish good working relationships with Libyan colleagues and we look forward to building on the success of this trip over the coming months."
Pictured: Caroline Helal (Apex), Professor Dr Ibrahim Ali Jabael (Alfateh Medical University), Diane Wake, Professor Dr Elarbi (President Alfateh Medical University), Professor Godfrey Mazhindu, Mark Brown, Malcolm McClean (Apex) and Jon Barrett.
