The Ministry of Industry has issued a tender to evaluate nine state-owned firms that come under its supervision, a move that could be a precursor to privatisation.

The Libyan Norwegian Fertiliser Company (Lifeco) says power supply problems continue to hinder operations at its plant in north-east Libya, but output of urea and ammonia has increased recently. 

The Misrata-based Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO), which had recently agreed to reduce its electricity consumption in the wake of national power supply problems, is now only producing at around 40% capacity.

The Ministry of Industry says its plans to invest in 2,000 small and medium size initiatives will create thousands of jobs. 

The Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO) says it has stopped works at several blast furnaces in an attempt to reduce energy use.

The Ministry of Industry has asked applicants who received approval for state financing towards industrial projects to follow up before the end of next month.

The board of the Libyan-Norwegian Fertiliser Company (Lifeco) met in Tripoli this week, with the plant enjoying a much-improved performance in the first half of the year.

The Alexandria-based manufacturer of ceramics and sanitary wares said its strong second-half results were partly down to higher demand from the Libyan market.

The state-controlled Ahilya Cement Company says it made a profit in the first half of the year after racking up a loss in 2012.

The Czech division of Austrian tile-maker Lasselsberger has reportedly won a deal to sell 500,000 square metres of ceramic tiles to a private Libyan client.

One of Tunisia's largest business groups said its subsidiaries in Libya restarted work inJanuary, and generated some TD10m (LD7.7m) in revenues from the country by the end of May.

The Gordabiya milk factory, near Sirte, is now reportedly packaging 10,500 litres per day of fresh milk and has further plans to increase output.

The Minister of Industry, Suliman al-Fituri, recently met Spain's ambassador in Tripoli to discuss cooperation in fields such as iron ore, gold mining and agriculture.

The UAE/India-based group says it has resumed full operations at its steel manufacturing plant in Misrata.

The chief executive of Norway-based Yara, which owns a 50% stake in a fertiliser plant in north-east Libya, has held meetings with the oil and gas minister.