Rebuilding a nation in ruins...

According to Dr Yousuf Al Wahaishi, the minister of transport for Libya’s interim government, change is not an overnight thing.

But the war-torn country’s government is now looking at future development, which includes the infrastructure at its airports, and the possible merger of its airlines.

National carriers from countries around the MENA region and Europe are beginning to open up routes to Tripoli and the new “hot town” of Benghazi as the business pathfinders make their way to north Africa.

The tourists and workers will not be far behind.

Dr Wahaishi was the key speaker at the ‘Future Libya Development Forum 2012’ in Dubai in June where he addressed potential investors and entrepreneurs.

“UAE companies want to move fast to establish themselves in Libya before rivals from other Gulf states and the rest of the world pile into a country that has a lot of oil revenue,” he said. “On the political situation in Libya, life will stabilise.

“To reform a whole country will take some time, even a few years. It cannot be done in a few months.

“There is no trade agreement yet and that will take some time but there is a lot of goodwill and the Government is keen to see the country transform.

 “Strategically, Libya sees itself as a regional hub between the Arab world, Africa and Europe, and the new authorities are anxious to build long-term relationships that will help them fulfil this aim.”

Part of this regional strategy is that Tripoli airport is being rebuilt with a focus on working as a hub airport, carrying passengers and goods through Libya, rather than as a destination in its own right.

“Work on Tripoli International Airport will restart within a few months,” said Al Wahaishi. “And we will have an open skies policy when we get going.”

Huge investments are likely in banking, finance, infrastructure, oil, gas, power, health, education and agriculture sections – but they also will need long-term operators.

“We will start to look for strategic partnerships that will operate for 10 to 15 years. We will welcome companies with acknowledged skills in managing ports,” said Wahaishi, who added that several of Libya’s ports, like Misrata and Benghazi, needed major restoration after the impact of the recent revolution.

Once the skies are open again, the country can look forward to welcoming visitors and already route developers are looking carefully at the prospects.

At the moment, business travellers still account for the majority of visitors with the oil industry regrouping but the new government hopes the doors will soon swing open safely for tourists, too.

Before the regime Libya did receive tourists – but only as part of an organised tour. This might well be the case again in the foreseeable future. Libya is a vast country covering many different terrains, so venturing out alone should not really be considered. 

Libya’s history dates back to the Stone Age, starting between 10,000 BC and 2000 BC. There is evidence of life during these times on paintings and engravings on stones inside mountain caves, which are mainly located in the south of the country.

The country is home to some of the most important and richest ruins of ancient Roman and Greek cities.

Five areas have been declared as world heritage sites by UNESCO, including: Sabratha, Cyrene, Ghadames, the prehistoric paintings of Akakus, and the most famous site of all, Leptis Magna – which was founded by the Phoenicians in the 10th Century BC.

Surrounded by five other countries, Libya also sits on the Mediterranean. Its coastline is a huge 2,000km and offers beautiful pristine beaches, the best being found near the cities of Zwara and Telil, on the northern coast, and Farwa Island Beach located in Sabratha city, which is covered with velvety white sand and swaying palm trees.

Of course, Libya is accustomed to idyllic sand scenery. It is home to the mighty Sahara desert, with 90% engulfing the country. Visitors can look forward experiencing the desert and visiting old oasis towns such as Ghadames and Ghat, as well as visit the extinct volcanoes at Waw al-Namus, where black sand surrounds multi-coloured lakes.