New Libyan authorities also have simplified procedures for foreign companies importing foreign labor, especially those bringing in construction experts.

HIB says it is negotiating 4,000 small contracts for the general maintenance of housing infrastructure in several Libyan cities. The work will require more qualified engineers than the 100 currently available in the North African country.

Some foreign companies have returned to take advantage of the anticipated construction boom which is expected to reach $140 billion in the next 10 years.

South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction says it has revived construction on a 2000-unit housing project in the eastern city of Guba. Manager Lee Song-Jae says, “Hyundai has completed 50% of the structures.” The government-funded project broke ground in 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2015.

China State Construction Engineering Corp., whose 25,000-home construction project in Benghazi stalled during the fighting, signed an agreement with the ministry of housing and utilities to resume work.

Minister Sharif said in August the company will deliver the first 1,500 units “as soon as possible.”

He said the new government has agreed to award the Chinese firm an extra contract to install in the housing infrastructure as compensation for any loss incurred during the revolution.

Sharif said Libya will comply with UN Resolution 73, which makes compensation for companies mandatory.

“We cannot act quickly. Legally, we must give the foreign construction companies enough time and opportunity to return and continue their projects,” he told local media in August.

Despite plans by Libya to invest billions of dollars in housing and infrastructure, analysts are worried about the emerging insecurity and what many see as uncoordinated government strategy in Libya's reconstruction.