After the bloody events that caused so much pain and destruction in Libya, it was a question of time before the newly-liberated country drew a line beneath the last few tragic months to start a new page in its history. Libya now needs to be rebuilt almost literally from scratch to provide its people with a decent quality of life that they aspire for.

Malta’s role in the effort to free Libya inevitably had to evolve in a new role for the rebuilding of the country. Maltese businessmen have always been involved in making deals with their counterparts in Libya with generally favourable results for both countries. So, it was no surprise that a Malta registered company with Maltese, Cypriot, Turkish and Libyan interests recently introduced a twice weekly ferry service between Tripoli and Malta that will be serviced by the ro-ro passenger ferry Azzurra. Air Malta will also resume flying to Libya at the end of this month with three weekly flights to Tripoli.

Air Malta followed the example of other European airlines and, after clearing health and safety issues that caused concern in the last few weeks, committed itself to a long-term arrangement to facilitate air travel initially to Tripoli but eventually also to Benghazi. This should be a great incentive to both Maltese and foreign businessmen who may want to seek investment opportunities in this liberated country.

While the physical hazards of travelling to Libya by sea and air have now abated thanks to the cessation of military action, there are other operational risks that threaten the quick recovery of the country through a programme of investment and economic revival.

Libya is now a country that needs to build not only the physical but also its institutional infrastructure. It is a country that needs a solid legal system that, among other things, guarantees justice in trade and business deals.

More than anything else, the new Libyan leaders need to build the social infrastructure on which the prosperity and success of every nation depends. For too long, Libya was a dysfunctional state where its people were not allowed to achieve their aspirations through study, meaningful work and enterprise. Their schools and hospitals failed to provide the people with the quality of education and health services that a rich modern country should be able to provide. This now needs to change through international cooperation between the Libyan people and the international community that has to respect the aspirations of this freed nation.

Efficient communications by air, land and sea are the first important step that has to be taken to open up Libya to the rest of the world. The coming months will be crucial to determine what political course Libya will take. Many observers are optimistic that the country will chose the moderate Islamic model as practised is some countries like Turkey. A tolerant Islamic regime will, undoubtedly, encourage the much-needed foreign investment in Libya to enable it to rebuild itself and take its place among the community of free nations.

Maltese businesses should not expect any preferential treatment when trying to strike deals in Libya. They have to succeed on their own merits. We already know of some very inspiring stories of Maltese companies, like Corinthia, that have been so successful in doing business in Libya. Likewise, the setting up of Mediterranean Maritime Services with various Mediterranean interests should be another example of how Maltese businesses can exploit promising opportunities with the newly-born North African state.