The Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) on Wednesday successfully concluded its fourth general assembly in Jordan, with the endorsement of a comprehensive 2025-2028 agenda aimed at advancing digital maturity across its member states.

The Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) is a global multilateral organisation committed to enabling digital prosperity for all by accelerating the inclusive growth of the digital economy.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou highlighted Cyprus’ growing role as a strategic digital hub.

Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Digital FDI: The AI Investment Landscape,” Damianou emphasised Cyprus’ geographic position as a vital data superhighway connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa through undersea cables.

The Cyprus chamber of commerce and industry (Keve) welcomed the council of ministers’ decision on Wednesday to approve the revised framework for the employment of third country nationals (TNCs).

This new framework meets the needs of the labour market while ensuring the proper functioning of businesses, adding a layer of flexibility for Cypriot companies to leverage the country’s economic growth potential.

According to the statement, Keve emphasised that this framework is the result of extensive dialogue conducted by the Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou with various social partners.

Unionists voiced their opposition on Thursday to the passage of amended labour regulations, charging that the state had satisfied all the demands of employers by bypassing substantial negotiation.

The council of ministers had approved a revised framework for the employment of third country nationals (TNCs) on Wednesday.

Additionally the cabinet had approved the raising of minimum wage for 19 professions, a move the minister had described as strengthening adequacy of wages for thousands of low-income employees, mainly from the domestic workforce.

Issues of greatest concern highlighted by the unionists were the permission granted to employers to move workers across company branches and districts, and the increase in wage reductions permitted for housing-included contracts.

The 8th Annual Capital Link Cyprus Shipping Forum held in Limassol, highlighted Cyprus’ role as a key player in shipping, energy, and logistics.

Supported by Hellenic Bank, the event drew industry stakeholders who explored the sector’s latest trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Discussions focused on the industry’s ongoing developments and the exchange of innovative ideas amid fluctuating market conditions.

Actions must be taken to curb the phenomenon of short-term tourist rentals by private individuals as the unregulated sector is fueling the housing crisis, the head of the real estate agents’ association said on Thursday.

Legislation enacted over the matter in 2020 had been reviewed by the House energy, trade, industry and tourism committee on Tuesday.

It is not the first time real estate agents have called for a ban on short term rentals dominated by online platform Airbnb, charging that the lack of a streamlined approach effectively deprives the market – and Cypriots looking for housing – of thousands of available options.

Kyriakos Iordanou, general manager of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC), submitted his views on tax reform at the ‘Gender Budgeting and Gender Mainstreaming’ conference in Nicosia this Tuesday.

The event, hosted by the ‘Cyprus Gender Budgeting Platform’, focused on promoting gender equality through economic policy.