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Cyprus Business Now: Larnaca tourism, real estate market, government deficit

Cyprus Business Now: Larnaca tourism, real estate market, government deficit

The Cyprus property market has recorded a robust performance in the first quarter of 2025, with both transaction volumes and sales values reflecting strong momentum, according to a report by the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Registration Council.

In its report, the council noted that Paphos is currently enjoying strong interest from international buyers, while Limassol continues to play a central role in Cyprus’ real estate market.

Council president Marinos Kineyirou commented positively on the outlook, saying that “it is a fact that 2025 has started on the right foot for the property market”. “The prospects are positive for the future, as demand remains high, while supply is beginning to respond to market needs,” he added.

Figures compiled by the council based on data from the Department of Lands and Surveys show that 4,137 sale contracts were filed island-wide in the first three months of the year. This represents a strong increase of 15 per cent compared to the 3,597 documents filed during the same period in 2024.


Larnaca has been ranked the number one European destination for baby boomers, according to a new survey released this week by global travel operator TUI.

In addition, two Greek islands also made the list, which includes seven locations in total.

As mentioned on the company’s website, the ranking was based on reviews of activities booked by travellers aged 65 and over, a demographic TUI said is shaping new tourism patterns across Europe.

“Over the past decade, the population of the European Union aged 65 and over has increased by almost three percentage points, now representing over 21 per cent of the total,” the company said.

Larnaca received the highest average rating, at 8.76. The city continues to attract visitors over 65, who often combine the coastal setting with excursions inland. Moreover, trips to the Troodos mountains and the villages of Lefkara and Fikardou are among the most reviewed experiences.


The Republic of Cyprus significantly narrowed its fiscal deficit in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to preliminary figures published by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) on Friday.

The general government recorded a deficit of €6 million between October and December 2024, compared with a deficit of €117.9 million during the same period in 2023.

This marks a substantial improvement in the country’s public finances and reflects a positive fiscal trend heading into 2025.

Total government revenue rose to €4.09 billion in the fourth quarter, representing an increase of €255.0 million or 6.6 per cent over the €3.84 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023.

Among the main revenue drivers, social contributions increased by €164.4 million or 14.6 per cent to reach €1.29 billion.


The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) on Friday announced that the reference interest rate for loan transactions has been set at 11.42 per cent.

This reference rate serves as a legal benchmark for determining the threshold at which lending practices may become criminally abusive.

According to the relevant legislation, any individual who, in the course of granting or managing a loan, gains financial or property benefits exceeding the reference rate may be committing a criminal offence.


A global greenhouse gas pricing mechanism, approved at MEPC 83 this week, marks a turning point for international shipping.

For the first time, emissions will come at a cost, starting at $100 per tonne of CO2 and rising to $380 for higher-emission operations.

According to an announcement released on Friday, the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) decision introduces a long-awaited global economic measure aimed at pushing the sector towards cleaner fuels and operations.

The move was welcomed by EmissionLink, part of Columbia Group, though the company warned that compliance alone won’t be enough.

The digital platform, designed to help shipowners, charterers and managers keep up with fast-changing regulations, is positioning itself as a key player in the new carbon-accountable era.


The Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company announced on Friday that it has repurchased a total of 227,383 of its own ordinary shares between April 17 and April 24, 2025, as part of its ongoing share buyback programme.

Of the total shares bought, 48,500 were acquired on the CSE, while 178,883 were purchased on the ATHEX. According to the announcement, the highest price paid per share during the period was €5.58, and the lowest was €5.40. Moreover, the volume-weighted average price stood at €5.49 on the CSE and €5.50 on the ATHEX.

These transactions form part of the company’s previously announced share buyback programme, under which up to €30 million of shares are intended to be repurchased.


Logicom Public Ltd has announced that its board of directors has approved the company’s annual financial report for the year 2024.

This includes the group’s and the parent company’s audited consolidated financial statements, the management report, and the corporate governance report.

These will be presented at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM), which is scheduled to take place on June 19, 2025 at 18:30 at the Olympic House in Nicosia.

As part of its resolutions, the board decided to propose for shareholder approval the distribution of a dividend of €0.10 per share. This amount represents 29.4 per cent of the nominal value of the share.


The future of maritime transport hinges on suppliers and service providers, especially amid the shift to green and digital solutions, according to Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis.

Speaking at the East Med Marine and Offshore Exhibition in Limassol, she reaffirmed Cyprus’ firm commitment to supporting the sector.

The event, organised by Fameline Holding Group, hosted over 80 global exhibitors. Hadjimanolis highlighted shipping and offshore industries as vital to maritime transport and global trade.

However, she noted these sectors face growing global challenges. Chief among them is environmental sustainability, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminating pollution, and adopting cleaner technologies.

She described the sector’s ongoing struggle to minimise its environmental footprint. In response, she urged industry-wide innovation and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies.


Girls aged 16 to 19 in the EU showed stronger digital content creation skills than the general population in 2023, a trend also seen in Cyprus, according to Eurostat.

However, the percentage of girls involved in computer programming remained significantly lower than that of boys across Europe, with Cyprus ranking near the bottom for both genders.

According to an announcement published this week to mark the International Day of Girls in ICT, girls in the EU were far more likely than the general population to carry out a range of digital tasks.

In the three months before the survey, 78.6 per cent copied or moved files between folders, devices or the cloud, 73.4 per cent used word processing software, and 67.7 per cent created files combining text, images or sound. In Cyprus, the rates were considerably higher – 92.9, 93.1 and 86.5 per cent respectively.

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