The Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah asked the newly appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Naji Issa, not to implement the decision of the House of Representatives to reduce the foreign currency exchange sales' tax to 20%, calling for its complete cancellation.
Dbeibah said in a letter addressed to the CBL Governor that the recent decision of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to amend the value of the tax imposed on the official exchange rate was in violation of the provisions of the law.
Dbeibah pointed out that Law No. (27) of 2001, regarding the determination of some provisions regarding fees and service fees, specified the authority responsible for imposing fees, which is not the House of Representatives or its Speaker.
Dbeibah expressed his surprise at the speed of implementing the decision of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; as it came as an amendment to a decision that had been subject of a proposed cancelation by several judicial rulings. He pointed out that this decision had direct repercussions and negatively affected the livelihood of citizens as a result of the rise in the price of basic commodities needed by citizens that the Government of National Unity is entrusted to provide.
The Libyan Prime Minister called on the Governor of the Central Bank to respect the rulings of the judiciary and give priority to the public interest; indicating that the matter requires continuing to sell foreign currency for all purposes without imposing the aforementioned tax.
The House of Representatives issued a decision to reduce the value of the tax imposed on the price of foreign currencies by 7% after it decided in early March 2024 to impose a tax of 27% during the term of the ex-governor, Al-Siddiq Al-Kabir.
On Monday, the dollar purchase system began operating again after permission was given to resume work and open it to citizens. Commercial banks announced the resumption of their reservation of allocations worth $4,000 or more for all companies and owners of commercial activities and for all imported purposes, goods and services.
