ALTAYB SAFFI MENAFI Secretary of NASCO

United World: Can you tell us a bit about NASCO and its activities?

Mr. Menafi: NASCO is the National Supply Corporation, which was established in 1971 further to the 1969 revolution, and this organization has both economical and social objectives. One of the main problems facing the Libyan population before the revolution was how to fight poverty and starvation. Therefore, the creation of this organization was crucial to help the population cover its nutritional needs. Food comes before medicine as far as we are concerned; one needs to be well fed to fight illness. This is why we have undertaken the responsibility of providing this service in the country.
A loaf of bread in Libya is the cheapest in the world and it is important to us that every citizen has access to it. Take flour as an example; in reality, 50kg of flour costs almost LYD 24 but we sell it to bakeries for less than LYD2. The same goes for other products like rice, oil, pasta, sugar, tea and yeast. Libya has no problem when it comes to food availability, as we take care of distribution as and cover any extra costs linked to transport. We have warehouses all over the country and we have a system for the distribution in each of even the most remote communities. We spend over LYD 800 million a year in subsidies that goes strictly for food provisions.

United World: How are you involved in teaching people to fend for themselves?

Mr. Menafi: This is an important factor of course but you cannot teach a hungry person to do so. Our mission is to keep the population from hunger so they can go on to learn to do other things. Our organization differs from others in the sense that our work is not only targeting lower-income families but also all social or financial statuses. There may be rich people who spend on other things and neglect health issues. Our mission is to help everyone stay healthy.

United World: Are you open to the use of know-how from abroad to improve your distribution?

Mr. Menafi: Yes we are. We have already established a channel of communication with Germany and Holland for example. We are especially focused on flour and the production of good bread with these countries, as we consume a lot of bread in Libya.

United World: It seems that a large portion of the food products in Libya is imported. Seeing as the United States is one of the biggest food producers in the world, what are some of the products that you looking to import from the US?

Mr. Menafi: We would welcome cooperation with American suppliers. We could potentially cooperate very well when it comes to grain and flour, corn oil, and some brands of rice and sugar. We like to deal directly with the producers and manufacturers, without any middlemen.

United World: What kind of organizations do you need to facilitate your work?

Mr. Menafi: We have so far met with a few heads of American companies dealing with rice. We have not yet met with any American companies that deal with cooking oil. However, they are all more than welcome to come here if they specialize in any of the products we need. We invite them all to join us. I am looking forward to the day when American companies establish a sizeable presence here. We know that our countries can be beneficial for each other. Libya is an important country with an important geographical position. We could act as a bridge between Europe and Africa and it can play an important role in US relations with the rest of Africa. This is an important continent with a lot of wealth and potential but unfortunately, with a lot of problems as well. We need a corroborative effort to develop our goals for the benefit of the people. This generosity is common in Libya.

United World: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Mr. Menafi: I studied Economic Science in the University of Gharyounes in the Libyan coastal town of Benghazi and graduated in 1979. I did my higher studies in the University of UCG, in international Economics. Before I worked in the National Supply Company, I was the chairman of the Social Security Fund in Libya.

United World: Thank you very much for your comments.

Mr. Menafi: Thank you.