Publication: The Private Sector amid Conflict: The Case of Libya
Date
2020-11-24
ISSN
Published
2020-11-24
Author(s)
Rahman, Aminur
Di Maio, Michele
Abstract
Libya’s economic stability should be a priority for the international
community. Although the private sector is an integral part of the Libyan
economy, limited systematic information is available on how the prolonged
conflict in Libya affected the private sector and the implications for a
postconflict recovery. Using original survey data, The Private Sector amid
Conflict aims to fill this gap by analyzing how the private sector has coped
with the conflict and examining resilience and postconflict optimism.
The conflict has profoundly affected the Libyan private sector. The
conflict-induced macroeconomic crisis has generated a liquidity crisis,
weakening the banking sector. Firms’ revenues, jobs, and production have
been reduced and value chains have been disrupted. The conflict has
distorted the business environment, undermining the rule of law, reducing
accountability, and affecting service delivery. Not all firms have been
negatively affected, however. The conflict-induced changes to competition,
access to inputs and markets, innovations, and informal activities tend to
affect different types of firms differently. Overall, the private sector shows
signs of resilience and optimism for a postconflict recovery.
The analysis in the book draws on novel data and other conflict
experiences. The results presented offer suggestions for policy actions to
address private sector constraints amid conflict and in the postconflict era.
Citation
“Rahman, Aminur; Di Maio, Michele. 2020. The Private Sector amid Conflict : The Case of Libya. International Development in Focus;. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/34818 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”