The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev) on Monday expressed “deep disappointment and strong concern” over the postponement by the House health committee of the examination of two legislative amendments aimed at facilitating the employment of nurses from third countries.

The federation said the proposed amendments had been submitted by the Health Ministry, with the objective of addressing staff shortages in the healthcare system by easing procedures for recruiting nurses from outside the European Union.

In a statement, Oev said that “at a time when the country’s healthcare sector is facing serious shortages of nursing staff“, the failure to take decisions that could help alleviate the problem is causing “enormous dissatisfaction” among affected healthcare service providers.

The federation stated that healthcare providers believe the delay undermines efforts to address pressing workforce gaps that are already affecting the delivery of medical services.

Ayia Napa can protect the stability and strength of its tourism sector despite the fallout from recent developments in the Middle East, provided there is planning, coordination and calm, mayor Christos Zannetou said.

Speaking to Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Zannetou said a meeting was held at Ayia Napa town hall on March 13 with representatives of tourism bodies from Cyprus and abroad to exchange views and coordinate action ahead of the 2026 summer season.

He said participants discussed both the outlook for the coming season and the challenges facing international tourism following the latest developments in the wider Middle East.

While the situation has caused understandable concern across the sector, Zannetou said Ayia Napa’s tourism product could remain steady with the right handling.

Protaras remains the economic engine of the Paralimni-Deryneia municipality, with local authorities aiming to spread visitor interest across all municipal areas through a series of projects and tourism initiatives, according to mayor Giorgos Nikolettos.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Nikolettos said the coastal resort, which draws thousands of tourists each year, was not only a key asset for Protaras itself but for the wider municipality as a whole.

He described Protaras as “the flagship of our economy” and “a valuable asset for the entire municipality”, adding that tourism development strengthens the local economy, employment and the broader prospects of the area.

At the same time, he said “the municipality is trying to widen the visitor experience beyond the seafront, so that tourism benefits inland areas as well.”

Through initiatives such as a tourist guide and the branding of the municipality, the aim, Nikolettos mentioned, is to encourage both foreign and local visitors to explore Protaras, Paralimni, Deryneia, Frenaros and Acheritou.

Cyprus must prioritise safeguarding its image as a stable and safe destination for tourism and investment while ensuring that any measures introduced to address rising prices remain strictly temporary, according to economist Tassos Yiasemides.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Yiasemides explained that as an externally driven economy, Cyprus is highly susceptible to major geopolitical and economic developments in the broader region.

Responding to questions regarding the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East, he warned could have multiple implications for the national economy.

“The priority is to safeguard the image of Cyprus as a stable and safe destination, both in terms of tourism but also for investments,” Yiasemides said.

He pointed out that companies located in business centres near conflict zones may seek alternative locations, creating opportunities for countries perceived as secure.

Cyprus’ property market is holding firm despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, bolstered by its long-standing reputation as a stable “safe haven” for overseas investors and families seeking a European base.

While regional conflict often rattles global markets, the island’s real estate sector is currently benefiting from a “Plan B” effect, as buyers from nearby countries look to diversify their assets and secure residency in a nearby EU jurisdiction.

Leading industry figures from Landbank Group, Ask Wire, and Danos Group set out these views to Philenews, noting that the market has repeatedly shown resilience during previous periods of volatility in Lebanon, Israel, and Ukraine.

Cyprus recorded a rise in job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the statistical service (Cystat).

Overall, this points to firmer labour demand than a year earlier, while hiring eased from the previous quarter.

Cystat said the number of job vacancies reached 13,538 in the fourth quarter of 2025, up by 541 from 12,997 in the same period of 2024.

Compared with the third quarter of 2025, however, vacancies fell by 1,035 from 14,573.

Meanwhile, the job vacancy rate stood at 2.8 per cent, down from 3 per cent in the third quarter of 2025 and unchanged from the 2.8 per cent recorded a year earlier.

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) on Monday announced its participation in Global Money Week 2026, launching a series of educational initiatives aimed at strengthening young people’s financial literacy and encouraging responsible financial decision-making.

The campaign is being held from March 16 to March 22, 2026 and marks the 14th consecutive year of the international awareness campaign organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to promote financial education among younger generations.

Through its programme of activities, CySEC seeks to equip young people with essential financial knowledge and skills, helping them to manage their finances effectively while building the confidence to make responsible and well-informed financial decisions.

The XM Limassol Marathon is one of the country’s most important sports tourism events, according to Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis.

He noted that the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, through the Love Cyprus message, supports an institution that unites people from every corner of the planet and offers an opportunity “to show the world that Cyprus is a place worth discovering, exercising and loving at any time of the year”.

In their announcement, the organisers of the XM Limassol Marathon said that, within the framework of the strategy to promote Cyprus as a leading sports tourism destination, the Deputy Ministry is participating as a Platinum sponsor in this year’s event.

They added that the aim is to establish the Marathon as an institution that goes beyond the racing part and constitutes a complete tourist experience under the Cypriot sun.

Industrial production in Cyprus increased by 2 per cent in January 2026 compared with December 2025, even as overall production declined across the European Union and the euro area, according to Eurostat.

Specifically, the statistical office of the European Union reported that seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 1.5 per cent in the euro area and by 1.6 per cent in the EU in January 2026, compared with the previous month.

The figures marked a deterioration from December 2025, when industrial production had declined by 0.6 per cent in the euro area and by 0.1 per cent in the EU.

In contrast, Cyprus recorded a monthly increase of 2 per cent in industrial output in January 2026, reversing a 1.4 per cent decline in December 2025.

Total employment in Cyprus’ broad public sector reached 78,124 persons in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase, according to the state statistical service (Cystat).

According to the statistical service, employment in general government during the same quarter stood at 73,006 persons, while publicly owned enterprises and companies accounted for 5,118 persons.

Within general government, which includes the government, non-profit organisations and local authorities, total employment reached 55,215 persons in the government, 11,566 persons in non-profit organisations, and 6,225 persons in local authorities.

Cystat also reported that for the entire year of 2025, employment in the broad public sector reached 76,726 persons, as illustrated in its published data.