Accra April 20, GNA - Ghana and Libya agreed on Wednesday to collaborate to boost tourism.

This was the thrust that formed the discussion between Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City and the Libyan Ambassador, Mr Mohamed Tareq Al Garmudi when he called on the Minster to share ideas about the growth of the tourism industry in the two countries.

The two agreed that the modalities would have to be worked out to the benefit of the two countries.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said African investors were mostly willing to go into long-term investments when investing in African countries and there was a lot to be achieved if there were collaboration between African countries.

He said Ghana was linking with Togo; Benin; Egypt; South Africa and very soon with Libya to attain bigger tourism market. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said there was the need for African countries to encourage African investors to invest in the industry.

Mr Al Garmudi said Libya had realized that tourism was becoming a big source of income and was in the process of allowing the private sector to invest in the industry.

Currently, he said, Libya had allocated between six and seven billion dollars contracts towards tourism development in that country. 20 April 05