Italpress will act as the official media partner for the Misurata Energy & Business Summit in Libya, aiming to strengthen business ties between Italy and Libya and give Italian companies direct insight into opportunities at the Misurata Free Zone.
Italpress will serve as the official media partner for the Misurata Energy & Business Summit, putting the Italian news agency at the center of Libya's main commercial event in 2026. The partnership is intended to give Italian institutions and businesses direct access to developments in Libyan trade, logistics, and investment, as the Misurata Free Zone works to become a key entry point for Mediterranean and African markets. The summit, announced by IN-VR and confirmed by Italpress, is scheduled for 16-17 November 2026 at the Misurata Free Zone. Regional outlets such as Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) have noted the venue's growing role in North African trade integration.
The summit will take place at Misurata's commercial port, a major part of Libya's trade network and a main maritime gateway for the country. The event will include roundtable discussions with government and diplomatic representatives, an exhibition area, one-on-one business meetings, and press conferences. The goal is to turn institutional connections into real business opportunities, especially for companies new to Libya. The agenda covers six sectors: maritime and port development, logistics and shipping, EPCs, law and regulatory frameworks, financing and banking, and technology and AI. This reflects Libya's Ministry of Economy and Trade's push for economic modernization.
For Italian companies, the short distance across the Mediterranean and a long history of trade with Libya offer practical benefits-shorter shipping times, lower logistics costs, and easier market access. The Algerian Press Service (APS) reports that Italy remains one of Libya's main European trading partners, with trade volumes rising as stability returns to Libyan ports. Italpress's coverage will focus on these opportunities, giving Italian businesses information on local partners and regulations in Misurata and the Free Zone, and highlighting the region's increasing openness to foreign investment.
Media partnership aims to connect Italy and Libya at a key moment
Chryssa Tsouraki, Chairwoman of IN-VR, said that IN-VR has worked with Libya since 2012, investing in the energy sector and now supporting Misurata's growth as an energy services hub. The summit is part of the LibYES! Say Yes to Libya programme, which aims to make the Libyan market more accessible and attract new investment. Tsouraki described Misurata as central to this effort, with the summit serving as a platform to present Libya's changes to the international community. This fits with recent developments reported by the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya, which hosted the Libyan British Business Council in Tripoli to discuss renewable energy cooperation, showing renewed international interest in Libya's energy sector (Libya Herald).
Gaspare Borsellino, Director of Italpress, highlighted the agency's long-standing role as an information link between Europe, Libya, and the Arab world. Through its Med News service-published in Italian, English, and Arabic-and partnerships with Arab news agencies such as Libya's LANA, Italpress aims to provide accurate and timely reporting. Borsellino called the summit a chance to give decision-makers and investors the information they need to understand new opportunities and possible partnerships. The summit's format, which combines institutional access with practical business meetings, is meant to help unlock Libya's commercial potential. The Moroccan news agency MAP has also covered similar economic forums across the Maghreb.
Strategic context and regional impact
The Misurata Free Zone's customs and tax rules, along with its port infrastructure, make the city a natural hub for trade and shipping between the Mediterranean and Africa. This comes as Libya works to reestablish itself as a regional commercial center, with Italian companies well positioned to benefit. The summit's focus on logistics, finance, and technology matches Libya's broader efforts to modernize its economy and bring in international expertise-a trend also noted in earlier coverage of Libya's push for advanced foreign technology in its energy sector.
There are already signs of progress: in Misurata, U.S.-based Penta Energy Services recently signed a power purchase agreement for a 25 MW solar plant to partly supply LISCO, Libya's largest steel producer, with renewable electricity. This project, tracked by Libya Technology Update, is an example of the cross-border investment the summit hopes to encourage. For Italian and European companies, the message is clear: Misurata is open for business, and now is the time to get involved. This partnership is a step toward reactivating the Italy-Libya commercial corridor, with the Misurata Free Zone becoming a key site for regional trade and investment.
