Libya's Minister of Economy, Mustafa Abu Fanas, recently held meetings with the US Chargé d'Affaires in Tripoli and the Tunisian ambassador to Libya.

The Libyan Export Promotion Center (LEPC) has outlined a number of financial support measures aimed at helping Libyan companies to export more goods overseas.

The EU will launch new support progammes in areas such as education, training and healthcare, its spokesperson told The Libya Report, but says that "no mutually satisfactory solution" has yet been found to deal with outstanding claims for pre-2011 work in Libya by EU firms.

The Indian ambassador in Tripoli told The Libya Report that he expects a "substantial increase" in the Indian workforce in Libya if security continues to improve, with Indian construction firms in discussions over resuming work.

Awad Barasi, Libya's deputy prime minister, told an Italian-Libyan business forum in Rome that Libya was planning capital investment projects worth more than $100bn (LD125bn).

Libya's prime minister, Ali Zeidan, says that a new centralised tenders committee may be established as part of efforts to reduce corruption, which he said was "still continuing".

Libya's Minister of Planning, Mahdi Taher Genia, recently held meetings with both ambassadors to discuss the resumption of work by their respective companies.

Libya's Minister of Economy, Mustafa Abu Fanas, says the government plans to move away from state subsidies on basic commodities and towards direct financial support instead.

Consumer prices increased more quickly in the third quarter of 2012 than during the previous three months, with a particularly sharp rise in the cost of food and drinks, but in annual terms inflation fell into negative territory.

According to the Prime Minister's office, a government committee set up to review pre-2011 capital investment projects has recommended that almost all of the 6,300 contracts should be reactivated.

The interim government has issued a statement warning that it will not respond to "unrealistic demands" by protesters, and will do "what it takes" to protect security and stability.

The founder of the Libyan Entrepreneurs Network told The Libya Report that the association is working with the private-sector on a new fund that will provide seed capital for local entrepreneurs. 

The European Commission is to provide €25m (LD40m) in funding to support "transition" in Libya  through programmes in healthcare, education and security and the rule of law.

Libya's prime minister says the government has taken "important decisions" to implement plans and revivie stalled projects, saying that international companies wil be invited to return.

A cabinet meeting held on 19 December reviewed the status of security and public services in Benghazi, and approved an "urgent budget" for local councils in the city.