Cyprus business & economy wrap-up from the day before
The statistical service’s preliminary fiscal results, published on Friday, cover the period from October to December 2025 and reflect continued strengthening in public finances.
Total revenue during the quarter reached €4.69 billion, marking an increase of €482.40m or 11.5 per cent compared with €4.20 billion in the corresponding period of 2024.
Social contributions rose by €79.50m or 6.2 per cent, amounting to €1.36bn, up from €1.28bn in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Revenue from taxes on income and wealth recorded a significant increase, rising by €196.90m or 18.0 per cent to €1.29bn, compared with €1.09bn a year earlier.
The association highlighted that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), combined with geopolitical developments and supply chain pressures, has created a climate of instability and unpredictable pricing across the technology sector.
According to CITEA, the market has reached a “critical turning point”, with companies required to deliver projects under conditions of extreme uncertainty, continuous price increases and reduced predictability.
The association stressed that it has taken immediate intervention measures, presenting both the scale of the issue and concrete proposals aimed at addressing the situation.
The announcement comes as the bank advances a strategic move to activate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system in Greece, making it the first European country where remittances can be sent through UPI in cooperation with NPCI International.
“This is the result of our cooperation with NPCI International in India,” Karavias said.
“We will have the opportunity next month to inaugurate our office in India in Mumbai,” he added.
“We will have the honour of the President of the Republic of Cyprus attending, who will be on an official visit there during the same period,” the Eurobank CEO stated.
“The event will precede a series of business announcements that will demonstrate the strong growth dynamics of relations between Greece, Cyprus and India,” he noted.
Now a Fleet Operations Manager at Maran Gas Maritime, Gidakou highlighted that while technical barriers are breaking, the industry faces a “next test” regarding human pressure.
She emphasised the disconnect between shore-based offices and the psychological realities of life at sea, where isolation and geopolitical crises intensify crew stress.
Calling for a shift from “fragmented” support to a holistic focus on mental wellbeing, Gidakou advocated for mentoring and systemic changes to ensure seafarers can decompress and thrive in an increasingly demanding global environment
The event, organised by the Financial Wellbeing Institute under the auspices of the Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, focused on the role of women’s financial wellbeing in strengthening social cohesion and economic independence.
Discussions during the event explored key issues including financial literacy, access to knowledge, entrepreneurship, workplace equality and retirement planning, opening what was described as a timely and meaningful dialogue.
“Financial wellbeing is a prerequisite for autonomy, security and prospects for every individual,” said Alpha Bank Cyprus CEO Miltos Michaelas.
The notice confirmed that the annual general meeting will be held on May 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Cyprus time, with a simultaneous audio link available in Dublin.
The board has proposed a final dividend of €0.50 per ordinary share for the 2025 financial year, subject to shareholder approval.
In addition, a special resolution seeks authority for share buybacks of up to 43,596,231 ordinary shares, representing approximately 10 per cent of the issued share capital.
The board is also requesting authority to issue up to 143,867,561 new ordinary shares, including allocations for pre-emptive offerings such as rights issues.
The Mall of Engomi (ME) Plc recorded profit after tax of €5.96 million, a sharp rise from €1.13 million in 2024, driven largely by fair value gains on investment property and higher revenues.
Revenue for the company increased to €4.51 million, compared with €4.04 million in the previous year, while operating profit rose significantly to €7.85 million, up from €2.60 million in 2024.
The operating result included a fair value gain on investment property of €4.82 million, compared with €230,000 a year earlier.
The findings, based on a survey on ICT use in households and by individuals for 2025, showed that while a gender gap persists across most EU countries, Cyprus recorded a 4.3 percentage point lead for girls in coding.
Across the EU, girls in this age group demonstrated higher levels of digital content creation skills than the general population, underlining their growing digital competence.
Among internet users, 79.2 per cent of girls copied or moved files between folders, devices or cloud services, indicating strong proficiency in everyday digital tasks.
“Organisations that are trusted by employees will win more in the future, not necessarily those with the best technology,” said Mirka Nemfakou, General Director for Human Resources at the National Bank of Greece (NBG).
She added that “trust is not declared, it is earned,” stressing that the bank’s long-standing history is built on employees choosing to place their confidence in it.
Moreover, she argued that there is no talent shortage in Greece, but a talent environment gap, saying it is not only about pay but also about trust, development and leadership quality.
The report shows that Cypriot businesses are increasingly integrating information and communication technologies to reduce energy consumption, limit material use including consumables, and improve recycling practices.
Across the European Union, 30.3 per cent of all businesses used ICT systems or solutions for environmental purposes in 2025, signalling a steady shift towards greener digital transformation.
At country level, Belgium leads with 42 per cent, followed by Denmark at 40 per cent and Malta at 39 per cent, underlining strong adoption of ICT-driven sustainability measures in these member states.
The group’s profit stood at €10.66 million, or 5.33 cents per share, down from €132.46 million, or 66.23 cents per share in 2024, reflecting a steep year-on-year decrease.
The decline was primarily attributed to the inclusion in 2024 results of €40.32 million in profit contribution from its stake in Hellenic Bank, which was acquired by Eurobank, recorded up to June 30, 2024.
In addition, the 2024 results included €93.61 million in gains from equity securities on the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE), which significantly boosted profitability in that year.
These gains included €92.53 million related to shares in Hellenic Bank, which were reclassified on July 1, 2024 from investments in associates to financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.
The group recorded revenues of €152.75 million, while the company posted revenues of €152.66 million, marking an 11 per cent increase year-on-year.
According to the company’s financial results, this growth was primarily driven by higher domestic sales volumes, supported by stronger activity in Cyprus’ construction sector.
Gross profit rose significantly to €50.30 million for the group and €50.21 million for the company, compared with €42.49 million in 2024.
The improvement reflects gains in production efficiency and disciplined cost management, including enhanced electricity efficiency and increased use of alternative fuels, the company explained.
Thomas Kazakos, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), said forums such as this were important because they allowed the industry to discuss its collective challenges and opportunities.
He said shipping is facing “one of the biggest challenges it has ever faced”, namely “the gradual erosion of the rules-based international order and respect for international law”.
“For shipping, this is not an abstract concern,” he said. Freedom of navigation, legal certainty and the predictable application of international conventions, Kazakos explained, are essential to the efficient movement of goods and to long-term investment decisions.
Speaking at an event organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Cyprus, the minister said the country’s natural gas prospects, alongside the participation of major US companies, are creating opportunities for economic growth, energy diversification and regional stability.
He highlighted the commercial exploitation of the Aphrodite field in Block 12, which is expected to involve a floating production unit in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and exports via an undersea pipeline to Egypt.
This, he said, underlines the geopolitical and economic importance of cooperation with the US.
Production from the Aphrodite field is expected to begin in early 2030, following a final investment decision.
According to details published by Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), the decision was taken jointly by local authorities and CYMEPA, with officials emphasising that it does not reflect a deterioration in water quality.
“This decision does not imply any degradation of the quality of seawater,” said Shipping Deputy Ministry director Theodoulos Mesimeris.
Authorities will still participate in CYMEPA information events, where they will explain the rationale behind the move and address public concerns.
At the same time, officials are preparing to present enhanced beach monitoring measures for Limassol, based on a coordinated action plan developed in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders.
The meeting will take place at the Sek building in Strovolos, bringing together around 50 members of the Executive Committee from across various European countries.
This development is considered particularly significant for the transport sector including shipping, ports, airports and professional bus drivers, as well as for the broader trade union movement.
Proceedings will begin on Monday, April 27, at 10:00 a.m., with discussions expected to focus on key issues affecting transport workers at European level.
The agenda will place emphasis on labour-related challenges and developments across the European transport industry, reflecting ongoing concerns within the sector.
According to a report from Eurostat, total EU production of fish, molluscs, algae and crustaceans reached 1 million tonnes during this time, with a total value of €4.6 billion.
Compared with 2023, EU aquaculture production contracted by 3.7 per cent in volume and 3.6 per cent in value, reflecting a downturn in the sector.
Within this context, Cyprus’ output of 9,053.9 tonnes highlights its role as a smaller but active contributor to European aquaculture.
Production across the EU was heavily concentrated, with five countries accounting for just over two-thirds of total output.
Spain led production with 246,137 tonnes representing 24.3 per cent of the EU total, followed by France with 181,434 tonnes or 17.9 per cent.
The event took place at Deloitte’s offices in the Cypriot capital, in the presence of representatives from both organisations, athletes and invited guests, reaffirming their long-standing collaboration in support of Cypriot sport and the country’s Olympic ambitions.
“The renewal of the partnership marks the continuation of a shared journey that began in the previous Olympic cycle and culminated at the Paris 2024 games, with the next major milestone being Los Angeles 2028,” said alpine skiing athlete and presenter Yiannos Kouyoumdjian.
He added that the partnership represents an investment in people, dreams and athletes’ efforts, while welcoming athletes Petros Christodoulides and Georgios Balarjishvili from judo, and Natalia Christofi from athletics.
“This cooperation is based on common principles and values such as transparency and trust,” said Cyprus Olympic Committee president Georgios Chrysostomou.
The company said the update follows its previous communication dated December 22, 2025, regarding the exploration of an alternative strategy for land utilisation.
According to the announcement, the newly obtained planning permission allows the company to move forward with the potential development of a solar energy project on land it currently owns.
The CBC stated that the rate is determined in accordance with the provisions governing lending practices and financial transactions.
In addition, CBC confirmed that the reference interest rate currently stands at 11.72 per cent, which serves as a benchmark for assessing legality in lending agreements.
Click here to change your cookie preferences