Here are the top business stories in Cyprus from the week starting March 17:
The letter, signed by CIBA board president Doxia Nikia Hadjivassiliou, was also addressed to Deputy minister to the president Irene Piki, the chair and members of the House finance committee, as well as the working group responsible for the reform.
Hadjivassiliou stated that CIBA has always supported a comprehensive restructuring of Cyprus’ tax framework to enhance economic competitiveness while remaining in line with European Union regulations and commitments.
The bank said that this award “reaffirms its position as the country’s leading financial institution“.
“The recognition highlights the bank’s exceptional private and affluent banking services as well as its commitment to delivering tailored wealth management solutions that meet the investment and banking needs of high-net-worth and affluent individuals,” it added.
The discussions, which will run until March 20, are part of Cyprus’ 18th post-programme surveillance review.
The Finance Ministry announced on Monday that these meetings will include representatives from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) alongside officials from the European Commission, the ECB, and the IMF.
Antoniades points to a report by Mario Draghi, former president of the European Central Bank and former Prime Minister of Italy, which, he explained, highlights “structural weaknesses that hinder the bloc’s ability to compete with economic powerhouses such as the United States and China”.
“The EU has seen a widening GDP gap with the US,” Antoniades said, adding that in previous years, the bloc benefited from a favourable global environment, trade agreements, and security guarantees under the US umbrella.
Caius Capital LLP first became a major shareholder in the Bank of Cyprus in the summer of 2019, increasing its stake to 9.58 per cent by the end of 2020.
Since 2021, however, the firm has gradually reduced its shareholding. By January 2025, its stake had declined to 4.98 per cent after multiple sales, including transactions in September 2021, April 2022, June and October 2023, and most recently in January 2025.
Hotel industry representatives highlight that Cyprus relies on its high-quality hotel facilities and services to maintain competitiveness in the region.
Christos Angelides, general director of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe), told Stockwatch that there is “cautious optimism” for 2025, noting that despite regional conflicts, the previous season ended positively.
According to a statement by the Federation of Employers and Industrialists (Oev), “a key measure of the forum’s success was the 250 business-to-business (B2B) meetings between Greek and Cypriot companies”.
These meetings provided participants with the opportunity to showcase their products and services while exploring potential collaborations in the fields of industry, technology, information technology, energy, environmental management, and construction.
“This initiative is part of Oev’s ongoing efforts to promote the outward orientation of Cypriot businesses and to strengthen their partnerships with international counterparts”, the statement added.
Following the release of preliminary financial results for 2024, banks are not only continuing dividend payments but have also outlined enhanced shareholder returns.
Firstly, the Bank of Cyprus has committed to a new profit distribution policy aiming to return between 50 and 70 per cent of recurring net profits to shareholders in the coming years.
This marks a substantial improvement from the previous range of 30 to 50 per cent.
Based on this policy, the bank has announced a total profit distribution of €241 million from its 2024 earnings, with €211 million allocated for dividends and €30 million for share buybacks.
However, the timeframe for the project remains uncertain, as approvals depend on various government departments, including the general directorate for development and the environment department.
According to the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), the deputy ministry has already identified and secured a suitable plot of land, granted to the Environment Ministry following a Cabinet decision.
In line with regulations, an environmental study has been prepared and submitted to the Environment Department for evaluation.
This marks a significant milestone for the bank, reflecting its strengthened financial position and the broader stability of the Cypriot banking sector.
“The upgrade mainly reflects BoC’s improved asset quality from a reduced stock of legacy problem assets (which include non-performing exposures (NPEs) and net foreclosed properties) and strengthened capitalisation, which resulted in reduced and manageable capital encumbrance by unreserved problem assets,” Fitch said in its report.
According to an announcement released on Tuesday, the bank said that it is “shaping the country’s banking landscape, strengthening the national economy, and solidifying its position as a rising force in the sector“.
It added that the event “confirmed its dynamic trajectory and reinforcing its status as a leading player in Cyprus’ banking industry“.
The event brought together the leadership of the Alpha Bank Group, the board of directors of Alpha Bank Cyprus, and senior executives from the wholesale, retail, wealth, and international banking divisions.
The announcement noted that “attendees engaged in discussions with members of the business community, exchanging ideas and exploring new avenues for collaboration aimed at driving economic growth in Cyprus”.
Kykkos monastery is expected to proceed with a major new development on land it owns in Engomi, according to reports released on Tuesday.
Spanning 331,450 square metres, the plan includes a five-star hotel, residential units, commercial spaces, office buildings, medical facilities, and educational institutions. In addition, it involves green areas and a large section reserved for parking spaces.
According to the reports, the Holy Synod, the highest church authority in Cyprus, will review the project on March 24, with the Kykkos bishop Nikiforos expected to present the details for approval.
Although necessary due to the scale of the development, the Synod’s consent is widely considered procedural, particularly because the project has been in the works for a long time and involves multiple investors.
They were followed by players from France, Greece, Cuba, Ukraine, Syria, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
The figures, presented during discussions on a proposed law to lift the €10,000 cash transaction limit for casino gambling, show that Israelis wagered €93 million in cash last year.
Cypriots followed with nearly €78 million, while Jordanians spent €11.5 million.
Meanwhile, French and Greek players each wagered close to €7 million, with Kuwaitis spending around €5 million.
Syrians and Ukrainians bet nearly €4 million in cash, while Russians and Saudis exceeded €2 million.
Specifically, shares worth €32 million changed hands through the sale of large stock packages at prices ranging between €5.54 and €5.74.
What is more, the bank’s stock reached its highest level since its return to the Athens Stock Exchange in September 2024, closing at €5.82 per share, marking an increase of 3.93 per cent.
At the same time, the share price also closed at a historic high on the Cyprus Stock Exchange, at €5.80 per share, reflecting a 4.32 per cent rise.
According to a statement from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Koumis met on Tuesday with Animawings chairman Marius Pandel and his associates to discuss cooperation prospects.
He was also joined by Antonis Orthodoxou, director of the airline’s representative company in Cyprus, ‘Orthodoxou Aviation’, to explore the expansion of air links between the two countries.
Specifically, the agency raised the bank’s BCA from ba1 to baa3, its long-term deposit rating from Baa2 to Baa1, and its senior unsecured debt rating from Ba1 to Baa3.
The decision was based on a combination of factors, including Moody’s expectations that Hellenic Bank will maintain its improved financial strength.
Additionally, the recent one-notch upgrade of Eurobank S.A.’s ratings, which now holds stable long-term deposit ratings at Baa1 and a BCA of baa3, signals a greater capacity to support Hellenic Bank if necessary.
The bank’s banking sector is set to merge with Eurobank, while its insurance division will integrate with CNP Cyprus Insurance Holdings.
During a briefing with journalists at the bank’s headquarters in Nicosia, Hellenic Bank chief executive officer Michalis Louis confirmed that the transaction with CNP had received approval from the Greek supervisory authority.
Specifically, Elena Karkoti, a senior officer at CySEC responsible for financial literacy initiatives, explained that “while the digital financial environment offers new opportunities, it also presents significant risks that require awareness and vigilance”.
“The modern financial environment demands knowledge, critical thinking, and continuous awareness,” Karkoti stated.
The Oev delegation was led by its president Antonis Antoniou, and director general Michalis Antoniou.
Representing Cyprus at the summit, as the country prepares to assume the EU Presidency in the first half of 2026, was the Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou.
The summit, titled “Bringing Europe back on track in a challenging geopolitical environment as an attractive, competitive and investment-friendly location that protects and creates quality jobs,” was attended by key European leaders.
A roundtable discussion, moderated by Yiannis Misirlis, president of the Cyprus Property Developers Association, brought together key industry figures to assess the reform’s implementation a year after its rollout.
Specifically, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou outlined a series of policy changes during this year’s edition of the Property Development & Construction conference.
These policy changes focus on facilitating residential developments and easing housing market pressures.
Ioannou stated that the government will introduce a measure to reduce the minimum allowable apartment size by 15 per cent across all types of residential units in zones designated for housing development.
This move is intended to increase the number of apartments that can be built within the same plot, contributing to a higher supply of housing units and addressing citizens’ housing needs.
With this in mind, Cyprus will host the leading international conference ‘Unlocking Investment Through PPPs’ on March 26 and 27, 2025, in Nicosia, which aims to highlight and explain the opportunities that public-private partnerships can create.
The conference is organised by Invest Cyprus, the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), and the World Association of PPP Units and PPP Professionals (WAPPP) under the auspices of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to a statement issued on Friday, the bank acquired a total of 312,726 ordinary shares between March 14, 2025, and March 20, 2025.
Each share, valued at €0.10, was purchased on the Cyprus Stock Exchange and the Main Market of the Regulated Market of the Athens Stock Exchange through the company’s appointed brokers, the Cyprus Investment and Securities Corporation Ltd.
The acquired shares are expected to be cancelled upon the conclusion of the buyback programme.
The proposed building, to be developed by by P.G. Economides Properties Ltd, will stand at a height of 87 metres and will comprise a mixed-use office and commercial space.
According to the architectural plans, the development will feature a ground floor, a mezzanine, a rooftop garden, two basement levels, and 18 storeys.
The total coverage area is expected to be 1,250 square metres, while the total built-up area will amount to 8,271.78 square metres.
Speaking at a joint conference organised by the CBC and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), he stressed the need for sustainability, innovation, and inclusiveness in shaping Cyprus’ economic future.
Patsalides opened his remarks by welcoming distinguished speakers and participants, acknowledging the pivotal moment Cyprus finds itself in.
“Cyprus stands at a pivotal moment in its ongoing economic evolution,” he said.
This issue has urged banks to install additional ATMs in these remote regions, with a modest expansion of 10 new machines aimed at improving service accessibility for these vulnerable populations.
However, according to Cyprus Mail sources, the number of new ATMs in remote areas may rise above that number.
The same sources put the approximate annual cost of an ATM at €50,000, regardless of the volume of usage. This cost has been a factor for banks when planning or adjusting their ATM network.
Specifically, the conference focused on the significant economic progress Cyprus has made over the past decade, the current state of its economy, and future challenges.
The event brought together policymakers, economists, financial sector executives, and private sector representatives to discuss key economic developments and risks.
In his welcoming speech, CBC governor Christodoulos Patsalides underscored the importance of maintaining close communication between national institutions and European partners to address emerging economic risks and uphold financial stability.
“Cyprus has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience and its ability to adapt, evolve, and progress,” he said.
All necessary agreements with the financing banks were signed on Friday, March 21, 2025, marking a significant step forward in the expansion plans.
Additionally, an agreement has also been signed with the joint venture Bouygues Batiment International SAS and Iacovou Brothers (Constructions) Ltd, which has undertaken the construction of the Phase 2 works, as specified in the agreement signed with the government on December 23, 2024.
Concurrently, following a selection process with the participation of the transport ministry, the company that will perform the duties of the independent engineer, monitoring the progress of the works based on the agreed specifications and timelines, has been selected.
