Bashir Saleh is Key to Gaddafi's Africa investments, possible location in Hiding

Bashir Saleh, President of LAAICO, LAICO and Gadaffi's cheif of staff is key to Gaddafi's

Investments and possiblly his post civil war location.

He was sanctioned this year by hte US office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), identified by Treasury on March 15 as subject to sanctions for being owned or controlled by the Government of Libya.

Libya Africa Investment Company (LAICO) corporate records are the key for tracking the Gaddafi family's influence in Africa, including payments to other African Leaders.

Libya Africa Arab Investment Company (LAAICO) became Libya Africa Investment Company (LAICO) in 2007. We have been tracking its activity for a few years. Here is what we know about it's history.

During the Civil War, Qadaffi dispatched Bashir Saleh (Asharq Al-Awsat reported – citing unnamed Libyan sources in Tripoli and Benghazi, Western diplomatic sources in Cairo, Tripoli and Tunis, and vaguely described "Arab sources" –) that Gaddafi was suffering from an "incurable illness" and was attempting to negotiate a voluntary exile for himself and his family inSouth Africa under the protection of South African President Jacob Zuma.

The newspaper claimed Gaddafi's chief of staff, Bashir Saleh, had been dispatched to Djerba, Tunisia, and then to Bamako, Mali, to meet with British and French officials about the possibility of Gaddafi being allowed to leave Libya without facing arrest or trial.

. (Wikipedia)

Checking Bashir Saleh's communications over the last months may even give a clue as to where Gadaffi has gone, there are hotels and businesses all over Africa.

The Impact of Libya's Credibility Loss in Africa

The fall of oppressive North African Regimes in Tunisia and Egypt came suddenly, and the impact on Africa will unfold over time; but the Loss of Gaddafi and Libya as a stabilizing force in Arab - African relations is currenlty being overlooked, and contingincy planners need to explore  possibilities that have not been considered before.

Though I am not a fan of  Gaddafi's regime, he deliberatly and successfully placed himself in a role as mediator and ambassador between the Arab World and the African World.

Gaddafi has invested signficant ammounts of money in Africa, and that will disappear. Using his  Libya African Arab Investement Company ( LAAICO ) Gaddfi brought Libyan Oil and outside  Arab investment money into a wide vareity of African businesses like food companies, hotel chains, real estate, banks, and even telecoms. As a Muslim owned business, LAAICO has it's sharia - compliant accountants and lawyers that made sure these inverstments funded the expansion of Islam in Africa. Though the principles of Taqiyya make it difficult to know for shure, it appears Qaddifi has been funding the building of Mosqs all over Africa for a generation, likely funded by Libya's Islamic Charity Tax that Deloitti calls the Jihad Tax. There is no dispute that their are many thousands employed in Sub-Saharan Africa busuinesses because of Gaddaffi's investments.

Gaddifi  has been an equal opportunity oppressor, oppressing and torturing hard-core Islamist groups groups in Libya, as well as nomadic islamist groups from Niger and Chad who have passed through Libya. The current civil war may have begun when an Al qaeda group, Libyan Islamic Fighting Group took over an arms depot. Now there is more opportunity for Al Qaeda affiliates, or other islamic groups to expand their operations in the Sahel region.


He has been a mediator between several North African countries on more than one occasion.
I will not argue with any one putting forth the concept the Gaddafi is evil. However, removing a two generation consistent force in North Africa will produce power shifts all over North Africa.

Here are some possibilities:

• Groups like AQIM, the remnants of  MNJ, and even  will try and move their individual agendas forward.
• Watch for North Sudan Malitias, the government funded perpetrators of  the Darfur genocides to try to move in this space and time while the west focuses on otherpaces in North Africa
• Watch for a weapon and logstics resupply for Congo rebel groups.
• Aglerian and Morocco Islamist groups with try to
• Southern Libya is mostly unoccopied desert, spareselt frequeneted by Tuaregs and Smugglers.
• Expect Drug and human Trafficers to look for new Libyan connections into Europe.
• Expect Arab Investors to look for new people to help them invest in Africa

After the last two months, No matter what happens in the civil war, Gaddafi will move back into his status as a pariah. His influence  has been damaged beyond repair, and this will change the face of North Africa.


Shimron Issachar

Qatar- based Barwa Real Estate Moves into Libya

Barwa is moving further into Africa. It will be espcially especially intersting to see if an covetures ventures with Laaico emerge. The board members on these companies have some interesting affiliations....

-Shimron

Qatar-based real estate company follows Masraf Al Rayan in move into potentially lucrative North African country which is opening up to foreign investors.

Barwa Real Estate, through its international arm, Barwa International, said that that it is in the process of entering into investments and real estate projects in Libya.

The projects will include villas, residential compounds and offices, as well as four-star hotel covering an area of 3000 square meters.

• Barwa already has interests in North Africa through Barwa Egypt Real Estate, Gulf Company for Urban Development, which it owns 100 per cent of, Gulf Construction Company in which it has an undisclosed share and Qatamiyah Residential City.
• It was set up in 2005, has over 1100 staff and was created by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company.
• It also owns 20 per cent of the iconic Shard of Glass Tower in London, which is currently under construction,
• The Langham Building in the US,
• A tourist resort in Croatia
• Monaco Project. Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad is the chairman, chief executive and managing director.
  

Keny Investigation - How LAAICO Gains Ownership Outside of Libya

Chief justice Abdul Majid Cockar is invstigating how LAAICO Libya deceptivly moved into Kenya to buy The Grand Regency Hotel

This is how:

• Form a shell company with a small mount of money, formed by local citizens
• Buy the Hotel
• Petition the court to change the Directors
• LAAICO keeps 998 shares, the 2 local owners retain 1 share each.
  

-Shimron

The company with a majority shareholding in Grand Regency Hotel was registered and incorporated in Tripoli, Libya, and Bought the Hotel.

• Libya African Investment Company (Laaico) has 998 shares compared to only two shares of Mr Ahmed Mohamed Amaer and Mr Mohammed Shtewi Maawal who locally incorporated the Libya Arab African Investment Company (Laaico).
• Laaico (Libya)purchased the hotel from Central Bank of Kenya for Sh2.9 billion.
• Ms Pauline Wanja told the inquiry that Laaico was locally incorporated with Amaer and Maawal as the directors.
• Laaico Ms Wanja told the commission, was registered with a nominal share capital of Sh100,000 divided into Sh1,000 ordinary shares of Sh100.
• Mr Amaer and Mr Maawal have one share each with Laaico retaining the remaining 998 shares.
• After the registration of Laaico in August last year that Laaico was brought on board earlier this year and allotted the remaining 998 shares.
• Giving a chronology of events as they unfolded during the registration of Laaico, Ms Wanja, said a certificate of incorporation number C143168 was issued after the company fully complied with registration requirements.
• J.W. Wambua and Company Advocates that applied for registration of Laaico,
• Mr Ahmed Adan of Adan, Wetangula and Makokha Advocates signed the company’s declaration forms for change of new directors,
• Before the registration, Mr Amaer and Mr Mawaal had presented three company names, Strategic Property, Original Communications and Libyan Arab African Investment Company to the Registrar General for search and verification.
• The eventual directors settled on Laaico.“Any of the three companies could have been registered but the businessmen settled for Libyan Arab African Investments Company,”

The Rest @ The Business Daily (Kenya)

Libya Africa Portfolio Fund for Investment (LAP) Claims $8 Billion in African Assets

Libya Says Its Mission is to Develop Africa as Kenyan.
2008-08-03

Speaking at a press conference that was held at Grand Regency Hotel in downtown Nairobi, the president of the Libya Africa Portfolio Fund for Investment (LAP), Mr. Bashir Saleh said Libya is planning to invest over $8 billion in Africa's economic sectors including oil, gas, air transport, tourism and the construction of oil refineries, among others, to help spur Africa's economic development.

Mr. Saleh led a Libyan investment delegation last week to Kenya and met with both President President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

"We already have 30 hotels in Africa. My mission is to develop Africa. This money we are investing here will not go back to Libya. It will remain within the various economies," Mr. Saleh told reporters.

On his part, PM Odinga assured the Libyan delegation that the Kenyan government was still open for more Libyan investments, despite the negative publicity that accompanied Libya's purchase of the Grand Regency Hotel in May.

The visit by Mr. Saleh to Nairobi comes at a time when a parliamentary committee was preparing a report on the process according to which the hotel was sold.

"We bought the hotel in a transparent transaction. We paid US$45million for the hotel in May, 2008. It was a business wise and clean transaction, not political in any way, ours is to ensure that Africa is on course to development," Saleh said.

"You can carry on with investigations, but we assure Kenyans we followed all the procedures as established by law," he added.

Mr. Saleh also explained how Libya had great interest of investing across the continent and had a portfolio worth US$ 8 billion all over Africa - including Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Morocco.

Inviting Kenyans to welcome their business interests, Bashir said LAP was looking forward to partnerships in Kenya.

"There is no limit for our investments in Kenya," the official from the oil-rich desert country said.

He explained how the barely three-year-old Libyan investment company had aggressively invested in Togo, Guinea and was looking at putting in more monies on the African soil.

"Our strategy is to invest in African countries, with corporations, Governments and private sector initiatives. LAP is just three years old and we are one of the single biggest investors in Africa," he said.He said the company was financing the construction of Kenya-Uganda pipeline too and was working out its shareholding.

Meanwhile, the Nation Monday confirmed that the Libyan Arab African Investment Company Kenya Limited had assumed full control of the hotel and assured workers that nobody would be laid off.

A meeting of senior staff yesterday discussed the new requirements and operational standards under the new management.

The Rest @ Libya Online

LAAICO To Build North African Fertilizer Plants- Remember the OKC Bombing?

LAAICO just signed a deal with the Morocco to Build Chemical and Fertilizer Plants. These Chemicals and Fertilizers are important for Food production, but are also components used by Timothy McVey in the Oklahoma City, US Federal Building Bombing.

Due to AQIM Activities in Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Mali, Niger, Algeria,Mauritania, Chad, etc, These plans bear watching.

-Shimron


LAAICO, Libyan's investment arm in Africa, unveils Moroccan - 05 June 2008
05-06-2008 - LIBYA, MOROCCO
Source : Ansamed
Country from : Libya, Morocco
Activity : Chemistry, plasturgy, fertilizers.
LIBYA-MOROCCO PLAN USD 1 BILLION FERTILISER JOINT VENTURE

By ANSAmed

Libyan's investment arm in Africa, Libya-Africa Investment Portfolio, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Moroccòs Office Cherifien de Phosphate (OCP) for the Moroccan company to build three fertiliser plants worth USD 1 billion.

OPC said that a first plant would produce 1 million tonnes of phospheric acid per year, with investment of $350 million, and a second plant to produce 800,000 tonnes of ammonia would cost $500 million. A third unit, with an annual capacity of 1 million of fertiliser, will cost $150 million.

• OPC gave no dates when the plants would be built, Tripoli Post online reports.
• An official close to the deal has been reported saying that the acid unit would be based in Morocco,
• the ammonia to be built in Libya and the fertiliser plant location has yet to be decided whether it would be built in Libya or Morocco.

In February, OCP invited non-Moroccan investors to set up plants to help Morocco expand its fertiliser and chemical business. OCP, with an annual output of 27.25 million tonnes of raw phosphate, has 43.5 percent of the world's phosphate market, 47.2 percent of the phosphoric acid market and 9.5 percent of fertiliser output, according to the company.

The Rest @ Animaweb

Laaico

Libyan Arab African Investment Company (LAAICO)
P.O.Box 81370Tripoli
LibyaTel: (+218-21) 4890146,
4890586, 4892613Fax: (+218-21) 4893800,
4891867E-Mail:
info@laaico.com
Internet: http://www.worldtourismdirectory.com/redirect.php?url=http://www.laaico.com

LAIICO has had a website update:


Telecommunications

Realizing the importance of telecommunications sector for developing economies, LAAICO intends to expand investing in this dynamic field in line with its present joint venture in the Republic of Niger (SONITEL) and The Islamic Republic of Comoros (Comcell).

Mining

Taking in consideration the enormous potential of mineral resources in the African continent, the Libyan Arab African Investment company didn’t ignore these potentials by investing in joint companies like Ashanti Goldfields, Mifergui - Nimba for steel production and Cocamines and Oryx Natural Resources for diamond mining, on a sound economical basis. Plans are underway for investing in other minerals such as tantalum, silicon, manganese . . . etc.

Tourism & Real Estate
LAAICO boasts a portfolio of diverse product range of hotels having over 3500 rooms rated from 3 to 5-stars, from city center hotels catering mainly to the growing demand of businessmen to lodges in the heart of Africa’s finest wildlife national parks.
Some of those hotels and lodges are owned outright by LAAICO, others are jointly owned. Most are being managed by professional management companies, thus optimizing quality control and guest satisfaction.

Manufacturing
The availability of raw materials, local and international markets for the end product, the long practical experience in Africa, are all factors which induced LAAICO to turn its attention to investing substantially in the industrial sector encompassing forestry & timber production, natural rubber processing , fruit juice processing, fresh water bottling and garment manufacturing.

Moreover, plans are also underway to invest in tobacco, plastic industries and the expansion in fruit juice processing & concentrates.

LAAICO buys Tunis Hotel

08.09.2007Libyaninvestment.com

Libyan Arab African Investment Company (LAAICO) has bought the majority of the stake (59.99%) of Hotel Abou Nawas Tunis, a large hotel situated at the centre of the Tunisian capital.

It is the first investment in Tunisia of LAAICO, present in 25 African countries, where it owns hotels boasting a total 3,500 rooms in seaside resorts, city centres and national parks.

Apart from the tourism sector, the Libyan company is active in different sectors such as industry, agriculture, trade and telecommunications.

The Rest @ Libya Investment News

Ensemble Hotel Holdings

This company is wholly owned by LAAICO

Ensemble Hotel Holdings

Location : Johannesburg, South Africa

Date of Establishment: 1999

• Participation: 100% LAAICO
• Activity: hotels & real estate
• The company owns the 5-star Michelangelo Hotel having 242 rooms located in Johannesburg.
• Owns 40% of Legacy Hotel Holdings which manages and participates in another chain of hotels, namely:
  1- Portswood –102 Rooms.
  2- Kwa Maritane-90 Rooms
  3- Baku Bung-76 Rooms.
  4- Commodore-232 Rooms.
  5- Checodore 10 Rooms.
  6- owns a land of (4186Sq m) to be exploited with private partner to construct a 33 stories tower block.
  
  
  
  

Libya SeeksOutside Investors for Africa

Libyan Arab African Investment Company

Active in countries across the African continent, LAAICO invests in a wide variety of sectors and range of tax breaks and guarantees of investment security are being introduced as part of Libya’s push to attract foreign investment.

There are moves to simplify bureaucratic procedures and to create a more business-friendly environment.

In return the Libyan authorities are looking for foreign firms that can help to diversify and strengthen the economy, contribute to local development and develop Libyan products for the international market.

Specific benefits being sought – particularly in the oil and gas sector – include the transfer of modern technology and training of technical personnel.

“Once we are sure that an investment project complies with our requirements and will help with the development of the economy we will agree to it,” says Rajab M. Shiglabu (INTERVIEW), General Director of the Libyan Foreign Investment Board. These are still relatively early days in terms of foreign involvement in the Libyan market and Mr Shiglabu stresses the rewards awaiting those companies who move quickly. “This is a safe place for investors to set up,” he stresses. “Libya is opening its arms and now is the time for foreign investors to come.”

• Rajab M. Shiglabu, General Director of the Libyan Foreign Investment Board- ‘Libya is opening its arms and now is the time for foreign investors to come’
  

Although Libya’s domestic market is relatively small, the country is strategically placed in terms of access to the North African market, particularly in view of its prominent role in the African Union. Proximity to the European market is a further incentive.

• Mohamed H. Kanoun (INTERVIEW), Chairman of the General Union of Libyan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, urges foreign investors to investigate the opportunities available. “We have many potential areas ready for investment and offering a high range of profitability” he says. “The government is taking the necessary steps by introducing low taxes and facilitating all the procedures, and the private sector is ready to work in partnership with foreign companies.”
• Libya’s own role as an investor in the African continent is exemplified by the activities of the Libyan Arab African Investment Company (LAAICO), the sub-Saharan investment arm of the state-owned Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO).
  Mustafa Tayeb Khattabi, Chairman and Managing Director of Laaico‘We are ready to share our experience with those willing to work with us’
  
• LAAICO has business interests spanning 25 countries and is active in sectors ranging from hotels and real estate to industry, mining and telecommunications.
• Its commercial wing, the trading and investment company AFRIMPEX, is based in Malta and specialises in poultry, agricultural projects and commodities.
• Mustafa Tayeb Khattabi (INTERVIEW), LAAICO’s Chairman and Managing Director, says Africa is a very promising destination for investment with ample resources waiting to be explored. “Libya has been working in African countries for a long time. We are ready to share our experience and technical knowledge with those who have the will to work with us.” Mr Khattabi says Libya can act as a bridge between north and south. “We have experience with European countries and African countries that qualifies us for that role. As long as a project is feasible in terms of profit-making, we welcome partnership with other investors.”
  

Full reports can be found @ World Report International Ltd., 2 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3DQ.Tel: +44 20 76296213, Fax: +44 20 74953707 - info@worldreport-ind.com

Libyan Arab African Investment Company Holdings

MALI
The Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO-MALI)
Location : Bamako -Mali
Date of Establishment: 1998
Participation: 100% LAAICO.
Activity: LAFICO-MALI owns Hotel de l’Amitie in Bamako which is being up-graded to a 4 star international standard .
It is also a shareholder in the National Tobacco Company (SONATAM). Plans are also underway to establish a fruit juice processing plant.

NIGER
Societe Nigerienne des Telecommunications (SONITEL)
Location : Niamey
Date of Participation: 2001
Participation: 51% LAAICO. & STRATEGIC PARTNER
49% Government of Niger
Activity: Telecommunications
Other interests of LAAICO include:
The purchase of a parcel of land of 6017 M2 .
The purchase of Kolo farm of 50 hectares.
In addition , LAAICO is in the process of establishing an administrative, commercial, residential building complex in Niamey.

CHAD
The Libyan Foreign Investment Company(LAFICO -TCHAD)
Location : N’djamena, Tchad
Date of Establishment: 1997
Participation: 100% LAAICO
Activity: Industrial, hotels and real estate; owns a mineral water plant, garment factory. The company is currently constructing a 5 star 200-room hotel in N’djamena and an administrative, commercial, residential complex.

South Africa
Ensemble Hotel Holdings
Location : Johannesburg, South Africa
Date of Establishment: 1999
Participation: 100% LAAICOActivity: hotels & real estate- The company owns the 5-star Michelangelo Hotel having 242 rooms located in Johannesburg.- Owns 40% of Legacy Hotel Holdings which manages and participates in another chain of hotels, namely: 1- Portswood –102 Rooms.2- Kwa Maritane-90 Rooms3- Baku Bung-76 Rooms.4- Commodore-232 Rooms.5- Checodore 10 Rooms.6- owns a land of (4186Sq m) to be exploited with private partner to construct a 33 stories tower block.

GHANA
Libyan Arab Holding Company (GLAHCO)
Location : Accra, Ghana
Date of Establishment: 1982
Participation: 65.5% LAAICO 34.5% The government of Ghana
Activity: 1)- Glahco Hotels & Tourism Development Company Ltd: Owns the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra rated 4 star having 234 rooms and 16 studio apartments. The company is also planning to purchase Kumasi Hotel located in Kumasi city.2)- Ghana Groceries Ltd. Owns a super market in down town Accra.3)- Ghana - Libyan Arab Agricultural Company Ltd. Owns agricultural farm of 3426 Ha. planted with fruit trees like mangos, lemons –etc in sojakobi located 115 km from the capital city Accra. The company invested in irrigation and agricultural equipment .

Guinea
Societe Arabe Libyo-Guineenne Pour Le Development Agricole Et Agro-Industriel (SALGUIDIA)
Location : Conakry , Guinea
Date of Establishment: 1976
Participation: 75% LAAICO 25% Guinean GovernmentActivity: 1)- The company owns 50% of the real estate company (BDS).
2)- Industrial: SALGUIDIA owns a fruit producing farm

Benin
LAAICO has a 51% shareholding in societe nouvelle africaine des industries des fruits et legumes (SONAIFEL).
LAAICO is also studying the possibility of investing in mining and other sectors .

Central African Republic

Companie Centrafricaine de Mines (COCAMINES)
Location : Bangui
Date of Establishment: 2000
Participation: 50% LAAICO 50% Private concern
Activity: Diamond mining.
In addition ,LAAICO owns a hotel in the capital city of Bangui which is still under construction to be rated 4 star.

Gabon
Libyan Foreign Investment Company(LAFICO-GABON)
Location : Libreville, Gabon.
Date of Establishment: 2001
Participation: 100% LAAICOActivity: The company has a forestry concession of 400,000 hectares. seeking to utilize it on asound economical basis while protecting the environment.

Democratic Republic of Congo.
LAAICO is a shareholder in Oryx Natural Resources a mining company whose present activity is diamond mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At the same time. The company is aiming to expand its activities in other African countries

Congo
Societe Congolaise Arab Libyenne du Bois (SOCALIB)
Location : Brazzaville, Congo
Date of Establishment: 1976
Participation: 100% LAAICOActivity: The company owns a forest concession of 506.000 ha and a sawmill plant producing furniture and carpenter wood. Marketed throughout the world .
Production: the company produces annually 60.000 m3 of logs. 36.000 m3 of furniture & carpenter wood is produced annually types of wood produced: Ayous, Sapelli, Sipo, Afromosa .

MADAGASCAR
Societe Mixte Libyo-Malgache (LIMA-HOLDING)
Location : Antananarivo, Madagascar
Date of Establishment: 1983
Participation: 49% LAAICO .
51% Government of Madagascar.
Activity: Poultry Farm, Real Estate & Tourism.

Zambia
Libyan Foreign Investment Company
Location : Lusaka , Zambia
Date of Establishment: 2001
Participation: 100% LAAICOActivity: The company owns a residential complex of 52 first class villas built on an area of 8 ha in Lusaka.

Zimbabwe
LAAICO has recently acquired shares in Rainbow Tourism Group .

ETHIOPIA
Ethio-Libyan Joint Agricultural Company (ELACO)
Location : Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
Date of Establishment: 1981
Participation: 49% LAAICO
51% Ethiopian Government
Activity: Drilling water wells and other agricultural activities.Libyan Foreign I

Ethiopia
Investment Company(LAFICO-ETHIOPIA)
Location : Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
Date of Establishment: 2000
Participation: 100% LAAICO
Activity: Shareholder in a mineral water factory. LAFICO-ETHIOPIA seeks to expand in food processing projects and other sectors.

Uganda
Lake Victoria Hotel Co. LTD.
Location : Entebbe , Uganda
Date of Establishment: 1995
Participation: 100% LAAICO
Activity: The company owns and manages the Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe. Plans are underway to renovate the hotel and upgrade it to a 4 star standard.

Liberia
The Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO-LIBERIA)
Location : Monrovia -Liberia
Date of Establishment: 2002
Participation: 100% LAAICO

Activity:
1)- 86% LAAICO share holding in the Pan African Real Estate corporation.
2)- Industrial: a rubber factory with capacity of (1000) Tons Per Year.

Commoros
LAAICO has a 55% shareholding in (COMCELL) telecommunications company working in the field of mobile telephones.

Read the rest diretly from the company website