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   Workshop1: Global financial crisis: What are the consequences? What is the role of the MENA region's players?

under preparation...

   Workshop2: Skills transferability: Where do we go from here? What are the opportunities available from individual and corporate prospective?

under preparation...

   Companies presentation

Central Bank of Libya

Mr Faisal Gajiji and Dr Marc Stephens gave an overview of recent developments in the Libyan banking sector. They began by noting that the scale of the economic transformation underway in Libya echoed that of Eastern Europe in the early 1990s and that thanks to Libya's oil resources the country had the means to make the necessary investment in change. Key changes in the banking sector in recent years include: new banking legislation in 2005 that allows for foreign banks to operate in Libya, the sale to BNP Paribas and Arab Bank of shares in two local banks, and a wide-ranging series of reforms aimed at strengthening the IT and supervisory infrastructure of the banking sector, on one hand, and developing the skills and capabilities of the residual public banking sector, on the other hand.
Dr Stephens and Mr Gajiji noted that top level banking skills would be needed to sustain the changes that are underway. In particular, the Central Bank of Libya is leading a recruitment campaign to attract top managers in two major publicly owned banks, Gumhouria Bank and National Commercial Bank. Available positions include Chief Sales Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Operations Officer in one or both banks. Dr Stephens, who has been working in Libya for the past eight months, noted that the right candidates for these positions would possess strong 'soft skills' of people management and an ability to operate within the specific cultural context of an emerging market in North Africa. He described the exceptionally safe and friendly environment that exists in Libya and encouraged ATUGE members to get in contact themselves or pass the word to anyone they might know. Contact details are: f_elgajiji@cbl.gov.ly or Marc_Stephens@opencities.co.uk."