In terms of opportunities, it has delivered. The magnitude of the country’s infrastructure plans means there is plenty of work. But opportunities alone will not be enough to keep foreign companies interested forever.

If Libya cannot provide the business environment that international firms are used to in other markets, it will find it increasingly difficult to attract them. Tripoli’s failure to address problems with its bureaucratic processes means the country is still perceived to be a challenging market.

In particular, failing to pay contractors on time is doing nothing for Libya’s image. This week, contractors in the power and water sector have voiced their disappointment and anger with the system.

Contractors were hopeful when the country created a new Electricity, Water & Gas Ministry headed by Omran Abukraa, who was previously chairman of the General Electricity Company of Libya (Gecol). They thought the ministry could drive the sectors forward and force the government to prioritise them.

However, the news that firms on two major power plants, at Tripoli West and Al-Khaleej, have still not received advance payments more than a month after they were due shows that, despite all the optimism, little has changed.

Gecol still seeks finance for its projects only after they have been awarded. Now, contractors say it is in a struggle with the government to secure the money.

Contractors facing escalating materials costs are left waiting and hoping that their decision to venture into the Libyan market was not a huge mistake.

Others might decide that, whatever the potential of the country, the risks do not justify the time and effort it takes to deal with the bureaucracy.