The Famagusta regional tourism board (Etap) recently held a meeting with representatives of EasyJet Holidays, the holiday division of the low-cost airline, it was announced on Monday.

The meeting, which took place last week, focused on initiatives aimed at extending the tourism season in the Famagusta region, with plans to implement these efforts starting in 2025.

According to Etap, the meeting was attended by board president and Ayia Napa mayor Christos Zannetou, Paralimni-Deryneia mayor Giorgos Nikolettos, and Famagusta hoteliers association (Pasyxe) president Panayiotis Constantinou.

“During the meeting, Etap Famagusta and EasyJet Holidays conducted a thorough review of the past season and exchanged ideas for the continuation of the tourist season,” the statement said.

Limassol topped Cyprus’ property market from January to September 2024, leading in sales values for houses and apartments, according to a report from Nicosia-based firm Landbank Analytics.

The report, which reviewed data from the Department of Lands and Surveys from January to September 2024, shed light on contracts of sales in Cyprus. 

In the Nicosia district, 1,355 residential properties were sold in the first nine months of 2024, comprising 161 houses worth €49.8 million and 1,194 apartments totaling €236.9 million.  

Similarly, Limassol registered 237 house sales worth €165 million and 1,469 apartment sales totaling €820 million.

Motor vehicle registrations in Cyprus rose by 10.1 per cent from January to November 2024, with the growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles driving the market shift.

According to the statistical service, electric car registrations increased to 4 per cent, while hybrids surged to 36.9 per cent, reflecting changing consumer preferences.

A total of 46,780 motor vehicles were registered during this timeframe, up from 42,500 in the previous year.

The US and Cyprus on Monday said they had reaffirmed “their shared commitment to enhancing Cypriot capabilities to counter illicit finance”.

A joint statement was issued by the US embassy and the government following a meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and a delegation of US officials led by ambassador Julie Fisher earlier in the day.

According to the statement, in March 2024, the US and Cyprus embarked on a collaborative effort to strengthen Cyprus’ ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes.

Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Keve) president Stavros Stavrou is set to deliver a speech addressing key economic and business issues at the chamber’s annual general meeting on Thursday.

The event will be held in Nicosia and will feature a keynote address by the president Nikos Christodoulides.

According to a statement issued by the chamber, Stavrou will outline the chamber’s comprehensive proposals for bolstering the economy and the business sector.

Antony Barnett, CEO of Limassol-based Network Financial Services (NFS), talks to the Cyprus Mail about tailored financial planning’s critical role.

A meticulous fact-finding process informs Barnett’s recommendations, blending active and passive funds to balance costs and returns.

Age and residence also influence strategies, with tax-efficient solutions offered for different jurisdictions.

Barnett favours traditional, long-term investments over speculative options like forex or crypto, ensuring sustainable wealth creation.

He also highlights regulation’s importance, contrasting NFS’s rigorous compliance with unregulated advisers.

The European Union’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), taking effect on January 17, 2025, will impose tougher cybersecurity rules on financial entities, with the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) urging compliance to safeguard against operational disruptions.

The CBC has reminded all financial entities under Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 that they must fully comply with DORA’s provisions by the implementation date.  

This includes adhering to the regulation’s technical standards published in the official journal of the European Union. From January 2025, compliance will no longer be optional but mandatory.

Legislative bills to overhaul Cyprus’ pensions and social security system and ensure its long-term viability will be with the cabinet in 2025 before heading to the House for a vote, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.

The president was speaking at the palace during an event to mark 60 years since the introduction of universal social security which he called “an important milestone for the homeland and for our people that we can justifiably be proud of”.

The government’s plan to reform the system will be preceded by the creation of an inter-ministerial committee under the labour minister. This will be on the table at the next cabinet meeting, Christodoulides said.

Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) director general Theodoros Loukaidis was recently presented with the Athenian Glaive award in Athens.

According to an official announcement released on Monday, the RIF chief was given the award for his “instrumental role in positioning Cyprus as a leader in research and innovation”.

The award was presented by Cyprus’ Ambassador to Athens, Stavros Avgoustidis, during a ceremony organized by AHEPA HELLAS on Friday, November 29.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) ended Monday, December 9 with profits.

The general Cyprus Stock Market Index stood at 212.93 points at 12:05, representing an increase of 0.08 per cent.

The FTSE / CySE 20 Index was at 129.72 points, reflecting a rise of 0.08 per cent.

The total value of transactions amounted to €364,850 at the aforementioned time during trading.

In terms of the sub-indexes, the alternative index rose by 0.34 per cent while the investment firm index fell by 0.58 per cent. The main and hotel indexes remained stable.

The biggest investment interest was attracted by the Bank of Cyprus (+0.66 per cent), Hellenic Bank (no change), Demetra (-0.58 per cent), Logicom (+0.63 per cent), and Alkis H. Hadjikyriacos (no change).