Cyprus and Bahrain can still unlock substantial economic opportunities, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday during an address at the first Cyprus-Bahrain Business Forum.

The two countries have used the event as a springboard to strengthen business ties during the president’s official visit to the Gulf kingdom.

Speaking to business representatives, the president described the forum as a first step in tapping what he called largely untapped potential between the two countries.

This potential, he noted, is shaped by their strategic locations, economic dynamism and their shared role as bridges between regions and markets.

Against this background, Christodoulides linked bilateral cooperation to Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, stressing that relations between the EU and the Gulf will be a clear priority.

The Paphos Regional Tourism Board (Etap) on Monday outlined its plans for 2026, focusing on upgrading tourism and supporting its sustainable development in the district.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) ,executive manager Nasos Hadjigeorgiou said Etap’s planning for 2026 is built around “a set of clearly defined priorities”, with particular emphasis on air connectivity.

Central to this approach, he said, is “the diversification of air connectivity and the stabilisation of flights throughout the year”, alongside the further development of thematic tourism markets.

These include sports tourism, wedding tourism, wellness tourism, agrotourism and the 55+ segment, which he described as “key tools for reducing seasonality and broadening demand”.

At the same time, Etap is focusing on upgrading the experiences offered to visitors. This includes “the enhancement of eco-trails, walking tourism and interactive activities”, while also supporting existing events and attracting new sports and cultural initiatives aimed at strengthening Paphos’ year-round appeal.

The importance of equal access, retention and career advancement for people with attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) in the workplace was emphasised by Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas at a conference held in Nicosia.

The event, titled ‘Creating an Inclusive Workplace for People with Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity’, was organised by the Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the Cyprus Association for the Support of People with ADHD.

According to the ministry’s statement, Mousiouttas described inclusion not only as a fundamental obligation of the state but also as a clear development advantage for businesses.

Within this context, he referred to the ministry’s actions and planning aimed at supporting the employment of people with chronic conditions, including ADHD, while reiterating its commitment to fostering accessible, supportive and inclusive working environments.

At the same time, he stressed the ministry’s ongoing sensitivity to issues of inclusion and support, noting that no one should be excluded from employment or professional development due to stereotypes or a lack of reasonable workplace adjustments.

National Bank of Greece Cyprus took part in the 13th Banking Payments and Fintech Forum and Expo, contributing to discussions on the future direction of the banking sector and the challenges and opportunities expected to shape the industry from 2026 onwards.

The conference focused on key banking trends, regulatory challenges, and paths to sustainable growth and profitability in the years ahead.

During a fireside chat titled Banking in Cyprus a sector in transition and the role of National Bank of Greece Cyprus, chief executive George Agioutantis said the Cypriot banking market is undergoing a period of substantial transformation.

He said this transition requires a careful balance between innovation, regulatory compliance, and traditional banking values.

He emphasised that although the regulatory framework is becoming increasingly complex, it acts as a foundation of stability and trust within the financial system.

Zubr Capital portfolio company Zing Coach has partnered with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a deal running until 2027, bringing AI-powered, player-inspired fitness experiences to one of the world’s largest football fan communities.

Under the strategic partnership, according to its statement, the growth equity firm said PSG supporters will gain access to adaptive training programmes through the Zing Coach app, modelled on routines used by players from both the women’s and men’s teams.

Through the collaboration, fans will be able to track their progress, receive exclusive guidance inspired by the club’s elite coaching staff, compete on global leaderboards and unlock rewards, including VIP match experiences and signed memorabilia.

At the same time, and through Zing Coach’s proprietary AI technology, key elements of the experience will be tailored, ranging from workout planning to real-time motivational support.

The launch also comes against a broader global inactivity challenge. While football attracts more than five billion viewers worldwide, around one-third of the global population does not meet recommended physical activity levels.

The Cyprus Film Commission organised a three-day roadshow in London last week, targeting professionals from the United Kingdom’s audiovisual industry as part of efforts to promote Cyprus as a filming destination.

The first two events were addressed to British industry professionals, while the third was aimed exclusively at Cypriots living and working in the UK and was held at the Cypriot High Commission in London.

The roadshow focused on presenting Cyprus’ incentives programme to international producers.

“Our aim was to inform industry professionals about the incentives programme we offer in Cyprus, with the ultimate goal of encouraging them to choose our country for future productions.

It is one of the most generous and fastest cash rebate payment schemes in the sector in Europe,” said chairman of the Cyprus Film Commission, Lefteris Eleftheriou, speaking to Cyprus News Agency.

Cyprus Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe) president Thanos Michaelides stated that 2025 was a good year for the industry, proving that the Cypriot hotel sector has reached a steady and satisfactory plateau.

Speaking to Politis, Michaelides said that occupancy rates were broadly in line with 2024 and in some cases slightly higher.

“Two consecutive years with similar results create stability,” he said, adding that this gives the industry a stronger sense of predictability.

Michaelides believes 2026 is likely to move along similar lines, provided there are no major disruptions.

That, he said, is “a very good starting point”, especially as it allows the sector to continue pursuing its longer-term goal of extending the tourist season and moving closer to year-round hotel operation.

This effort, he explained, is already visible during the current winter period, from November 2025 to March 2026.

“More hotel units have decided to remain open,” he said, either for the full season or part of it, with participation clearly higher than in previous years.

The Bank of New York has awarded the Bank of Cyprus (BoC) with the ‘STP AWARD 2025’ for a fourth consecutive year, in recognition of the high-quality procedures the bank follows in the area of fund transfers via the SWIFT system, according to its announcement.

In this context, the Bank of New York is one of the correspondent banks with whom BoC cooperates for US dollar transactions.

The award was awarded to the bank in recognition of the fact that 98 per cent of payments were Straight Through Processing, without the need for any non-automated intervention on the part of the Bank of New York.

OPAP Cyprus has officially began operating under the Allwyn brand, marking the start of a new phase in the company’s development and growth, according to an official announcement released on Monday.

The rebranding represents a strategic shift in identity, placing the upgrade of the customer entertainment experience at the centre of the company’s priorities.

The transition to Allwyn follows an announcement made in December 2025 that OPAP Cyprus would align more closely with its international parent group, adopting its global commercial name.

The company said the move signals the start of a new era that will bring enhanced experiences, more entertainment options, and additional surprises for customers in Cyprus.

The European Union reached a record high in the use of renewable energy for heating and cooling in 2024, according to Eurostat, with the total share climbing to 26.7 per cent during that time.

This figure represents the highest value recorded since the time series began in 2004, when the share stood at only 11.7 per cent.

In Cyprus, the renewable energy share for heating and cooling was recorded at 41.591 per cent for the 2024 period.

This represents a slight decrease for the island compared to 2023, when Cyprus reached an all-time high of 42.896 per cent.

The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism took part in the Travel and Adventure Show, held on January 24 and 25 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, as part of its broader strategy to strengthen the island’s presence in the competitive US tourism market.

According to the information, the participation aimed to promote Cyprus as a modern, quality and authentic destination.

The Energy Ministry has launched a Digital One Stop Shop service for renewable energy sources on a pilot basis to support the energy upgrade of buildings, the Energy Service announced.

The new platform was developed to assist property owners, professionals and interested stakeholders involved in building renovations and energy efficiency improvements.

The digital service provides centralised, reliable and up-to-date information on technical measures, available technologies and recognised best practices related to renewable energy and energy upgrades.

It also offers access to financing tools and grant schemes currently available for energy upgrade projects.

The platform includes guidance on the proper implementation of energy upgrade interventions, aiming to reduce errors and improve project outcomes.

Eurobank on Monday announced that the percentage of its voting rights held indirectly by the Capital Group Companies, Inc. exceeded the threshold of 5 per cent.

The disclosure was made pursuant to Article 14 of Law 3556/2007, following a relevant notification received by Eurobank from the Capital Group Companies, Inc.

Eurobank said that the Capital Group Companies, Inc. held 5.12 per cent of the bank’s total voting rights on that date.

The holding corresponds to 185,981,494 voting rights attached to Eurobank’s ordinary shares.