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Libya's Economy Minister outlines plan to address economic distortions
via Libya Herald2 min read
Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade, Suhail Abu Shiha, stated that the Ministry's primary focus is on citizens, aiming to alleviate living burdens and improve living standards. Speaking at the Tripoli Government Communication Conference, Abu Shiha explained how fiscal and monetary policies, and their distortions, impact daily life, prices, competition, and goods availability. He clarified that the Ministry seeks to enable the market to function properly, benefiting citizens, the state, and merchants through fair competition. Abu Shiha noted that while 2021 and 2022 saw stable financial conditions, late 2024 and early 2025 experienced declining competition, rising prices, and reduced goods quality due to economic imbalances. He attributed these issues to "money creation" or injecting liquidity outside traditional frameworks, which increased the money supply without corresponding production. This uncoordinated money creation directly impacts purchasing power, leading to higher prices and a decline in the real value of money and savings. The Minister concluded by stating that the Ministry is developing a plan to regulate the market, reduce distortions, enhance competition, ensure goods availability, and improve citizens' living standards.
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