Istanbul: The resumption of flights between Trkiye's commercial hub Istanbul and Benghazi, Libya, after a decade-long pause, is anticipated to fortify commercial and cultural links between the two nations, a senior official from Trkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board has stated.

According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish Airlines is now operating three weekly flights on this route, paving the way for increased trade and cooperation. Murtaza Karanfil, head of the board's Trkiye-Libya Business Council, emphasized that Libya serves as a strategic gateway to Africa, and the longstanding relations between the countries provide a solid foundation for economic collaboration.

Libya's significance as a regional development partner and Trkiye's willingness to share its expertise in infrastructure, healthcare, and energy were also highlighted by Karanfil. He stressed that Africa is set to spearhead global economic growth in the next century, and Trkiye is ready to contribute its knowledge in these sectors to Libya.

The newly resumed flights are expected to benefit Turkish exporters, improve logistics infrastructure, and solidify the presence of Turkish companies in the region. During the inaugural flight, discussions were held with Libya's Reconstruction Fund and other state institutions as part of the Foreign Economic Relations Board's initiatives.

A business forum is being planned for an upcoming delegation visit, where Turkish contractors and businesspeople will engage with Libyan officials to support the country's post-conflict infrastructure and development projects, according to Karanfil.