Basit Igtet

Basit Igtet

With a proud history of fighting for Libyan freedoms, Basit Igtet continues his families struggle on behalf of his beloved nation. Musa Igtet, Basit’s grandfather, was a brave member of the effort to resist the Italian occupation in 1911 and his father, Hassan Igtet, was one of the first doctorates in Libya.

Working throughout his life to improve educational facilities in the country, Hassan was instrumental in creating the National Library at Benghazi University. For Libyans though, Hassan may well be better remembered as one of the first public opponents to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

In a time when many were too afraid to speak out against Gaddafi rule, Hassan encouraged Libyan citizens to resist the oppression. As a result, Hassan and his family were imprisoned, before the fight for freedom cost him his life.

With his own life in danger for many years, and following the assassination of his father Hassan, Basit moved to Switzerland claiming refugee status. Determined to build on his father’s legacy, Basit Igtet became a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist actively supporting other Libyans in exile.

Basit’s success has influenced the economy throughout Europe and the Middle East. With a range of different interests, Basit’s portfolio includes hotel and leisure, property development, finance and infrastructure improvement projects.

Basit Igtet is also the founder and president of Swiss International Management – a firm which focuses on real estate, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure and

healthcare. Basit successfully combined 12 German engineering companies into a singular group in 2005. The group then provided civil engineering and architectural facilities to the State of Qatar. In 2006, Basit created the Swiss Mideast Finance Group, and in 2007, he took control of Metrica - a maritime, aviation and residential interior design company based in Germany. Basit’s latest project, Athal Energy, focuses on exploration and the development of existing oil fields in Libya.

Since February 2011, and the Libyan revolution, Basit Igtet has used his time, energy and resources solely for the benefit of Libya. He became the Special Envoy to the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) in September that year. Using his wealth to support the development of a new Libya, Basit lobbied international governments to recognise the NTC as an official body. Now, he uses his international network and business expertise helping to rebuild his homeland. The Igtet family have dedicated their lives to building a successful and free Libya. They remain focussed on encouraging peace and humanity in the region.

"May we, the Libyan people, share in a new spirit of peaceful co-operation and rebuild the human capital of our shattered homeland.” - Basit Igtet