Washington, Oct 29 (ANI): Western diplomats are of the opinion that the NATO countries will try to venture into Libya to spread their businesses there after the end the Gaddafi era, especially by trying to convince the new government in return for their help in toppling the dictator's four decades old regime.
A week before Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's death on October 20, a delegation from 80 French companies arrived in Tripoli to meet officials of the Transitional National Council, the interim government, the New York Times reports.
Last week, British Defense Minister Philip Hammond had urged companies in his country to "pack their suitcases" and head to Tripoli.
When Gaddafi's body was still on public display, a British venture, Trango Special Projects, indicated to render its support services to companies looking to cash in. "Whilst speculation continues regarding Qaddafi's killing," Trango said on its Web site, adding: "Are you and your business ready to return to Libya?"
The company offered rooms at its Tripoli villa and transport "by our discreet mixed British and Libyan security team." The price for a 10-minute ride from the airport, for which the ordinary cab fare is about five dollars, is listed at 500 British pounds, or about 800 dollars.
"There is a gold rush of sorts taking place right now. And the Europeans and Asians are way ahead of us. I'm getting calls daily from members of the business community in Libya. They say, 'Come back, we don't want the Americans to lose out,'" David Hamod, president and chief executive officer of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, said.
The paper also said that like France and Britain, the United States may also benefit from the Libyan authorities' appreciation of NATO's critical air support for the revolution.
"My feeling is those who are in favor" with the transitional council "are going to get the nod from a business point of view," Phil Dwyer, Director of SCN Resources Group, a Virginia contracting company that opened an office in Tripoli two weeks ago to offer "risk management" advice and services to an unnamed company, said. (ANI)
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