This OECD Review of Foreign Direct Investment Statistics of Libya evaluates the country’s institutional framework for FDI statistics compilation, the sources of data and estimating techniques employed, and their conformity with current international statistical standards. Lastly, the review includes suggestions to enhance Libya's FDI statistics compilation.
This review was prepared in collaboration with the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), the General Authority for Investment Promotion and Privatisation Affairs of Libya, and Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade. In particular, the review is based on responses by the Libyan authorities mentioned above to a survey asking for information on the country’s FDI statistics; other information on data sources and methods, such as the metadata Libya provided for the IMF's Balance of Payments statistics; an analysis of Libyan FDI statistics; presentations by the CBL at a workshop held in Tunisia on 17 and 18 January 2024 and email exchanges following the workshop.
This review is part of a broader effort to support the wider implementation of the OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment, 4th Edition (BD4), particularly in non-Member economies, to support alignment to international guidelines for FDI statistics compilation. The review is an output of the EU-OECD Programme on Investment in the Mediterranean, which supports investment policy reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa region. FDI statistics can play a strong role in evaluating the impact of such reforms, hence, better quality and comparable data within and across countries can contribute to foster more informed policymaking in the region. The Review was financially supported by the European Union.
The review was prepared by Maria Borga, a private consultant, and Francesca Spinelli, Head of the International Investment Statistics Unit. The review has benefitted from inputs and comments provided by Mohamed A. Nasrat, and Elhadi Ibrahim Zgar from the Balance of Payments Division of the CBL, Abdala Mftah Alwrfli from the General Authority for Investment Promotion and Privatisation Affairs of Libya, and Hassan El Kamel and Mussa Ezubik representing the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade. Valuable inputs from Emilie Kothé, Project Manager and Head of the FDI Statistics database team, and Perla Ibarlucea-Flores, Statistician, have contributed to the preparation of this review. Ana Novik, Head of Investment Division, and Helene Francois Georgieff, Head of the Investment Policy and Capacity Building Team, provided overall guidance on the project and EU-OECD Programme. The review was shared and approved, via written procedure, by the OECD Investment Committee on 3 January 2025. Angele N’Zinga and Alexandra Ciumac, Project Assistants, helped with the formatting of the review, and Lucinda Pearson and Liv Gudmundson, Communication Officer and Publications and Editorial Lead, respectively, helped with the preparation for publication with support received from Meral Gedik (external consultant).