Minister of Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism Yiorgos Lakkotrypis announced Monday a number of promotional activities to encourage and support the Cypriot enterprises abroad.
In a press conference with President of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce (CCCI) Phidias Pilides, it was announced that 23 business forums will be held on selected and targeted markets abroad. Specifically, the forums will be held in 17 countries, including Cuba, Brazil, Iran, China and the USA.
As the Minister said, the aim of the forums is to support the Cypriot enterprises abroad, to increase exports, to strengthen commercial activities and to attract investments. As he noted the partnership between the Ministry and CCCI in organizing business missions and seminars is bearing fruit.
He stressed that, despite the adverse economic conditions of the recent years, in 2014 and 2015 there was growth for Cypriot service exports.
As he said, in 2014 the exports of services amounted to € 7.65 billion showing resilience and remained at the same level as in 2013, while for the first 9 months of 2015 amounted to € 5.9 billion, recording an increase of 4,5% compared to the same period of 2014.
As regards to export of products, Lakkotrypis said that in 2014 these totaled to €732 million increasing by 2.3% compared to 2013, while for the period January – October 2015 there was an increase of 11 % compared to the same period of 2014.
Referring to the 23 business forums to be held in 2016, he said that it will be held in seventeen countries, namely Bulgaria, India, Greece, Iran, USA, Canada, Russia, Germany, Poland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Austria, Brazil, Cuba, China, Oman and Kuwait.
In his intervention at the conference, President of the Chamber said that the institution of business forum proved very successful and already have very positive effects on investment, business and generally the whole economy.
Pilides said that last year, business missions and forums were organized in 9 countries, which covered 13 cities and Cypriot businesses involved exceeded 200.
CNA/TKE/TNE/RP/2016
EDNS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY