TRIPOLI 00000686 R UN 02-SEP-08 LIBYA FURTHER PRIVATIZES FUEL DISTRIBUTION [7982233]From: CBPC, EACTAPP
[EACTAPP@state.sgov.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 5:33 PM
To: EACTTripoli
Subject: TRIPOLI 00000686 R UN 02-SEP-08 LIBYA FURTHER PRIVATIZES FUEL DISTRIBUTION [7982233]
UNCLAS
VZCZCXRO3309
RR RUEHTRO
DE RUEHTRO #0686 2461508
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021508Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3843
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1209
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0759
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0606
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0703
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4357
UNCLAS TRIPOLI 000686
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET ENRG KPRV LY
SUBJECT: LIBYA FURTHER PRIVATIZES FUEL DISTRIBUTION
1. (SBU) The Chairman of the Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC), Shukri Ghanem, launched the country's third
privately-owned fuel distribution company, al-Rahila, in a low profile ceremony at a newly refurbished filling station
last week. The al-Rahila Company is one of three companies established to participate in the privatization of fuel
distribution in Libya; the other two are al-Sharara and the Libyan Company for Distribution of Petroleum Products.
Ghanem told local press the aim was to accelerate privatization and to improve the quality of service by introducing
competition. 2. (SBU) The chairman of al-Rahila, Mohamed bin Hussain, told the press his company and two other firms
emerged as a result of the restructuring of Braiga Oil Marketing Company. Capitalized with 50 million Libyan dinars,
al-Rahila currently owns 106 gas stations and is planning to build eight modern stations in various parts of the
country. According to Ghanem, NOC will continue to have a role in fuel distribution in Libya through the state-owned
Braiga Company. 3. (SBU) Comment: The launching of Libya's third privately-owned fuel distribution company marks another
step in Libya's efforts to further privatize key sectors of its economy. The GOL hopes that this process will contribute
to more reliable fuel supplies and help mitigate any shortages (earlier this year Tripoli residents faced gas shortages
due to delayed shipments of refined gasoline). End comment. STEVENS