TRIPOLI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The 46th Libyan Tripoli International Fair kicked off on Monday with participation of companies from Italy, Algeria and Tunisia.

The opening ceremony was attended by UN-backed deputy prime minister Ahmad M'etig, the interior minister Abdul-Salam Ashour, and a number of foreign ambassadors to Libya.

"The fair comes in exceptional circumstances in Libya. We were keen to start it despite the obstacles we faced," Salah Addin Hamza, chairman of the Libyan Fairs Authority, told Xinhua.

Hamza confirmed that the fair included 550 pavilions and participation of 475 local and foreign companies.

"International participation, although limited this year, has provided an indication that the next fair of 2019 will be a motivation for foreign companies to participate, especially with the noticeable (security) improvement in Tripoli," Hamza added.

The minister of economy Naser Al-Dresi stressed the economic significance of fairs "as events that enhance acquaintance and exchange of experience between local and foreign companies to develop the national economy."

"The fair is an incentive to increase the pace of economic activities in Libya through competition between exhibitors, and the possibility of creating twinning among companies participating in the fair," Al-Dresi added.

He said the ministry is planning to organize a number of workshops during the fair for experts and specialists to discuss economic reform in Libya.