Day: February 1, 2023

A total of 187 applications submitted by women were approved in 2021 for the amount of 10.6 million euros, in the framework of the New Entrepreneurship Programme covering the period 2021-2027, Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister, Natasa Pilidou said on Wednesday speaking during an event in Larnaca on “Supporting Women Entrepreneurs” organized by the Embassy of Ireland in Cyprus, with the support of Larnaca Municipality and Cyprus Duty Free.

According to Pilidou, the New and Female Entrepreneurship Programmes have been very popular and are, in general, some of the most successful programmes run by the Ministry over the years.

Pilidou noted that other actions are needed as well, such as enhancing child care facilities – an area where the government has taken steps, as she said – and law amendments to protect women who work as employees in companies and as entrepreneurs.

According to Pilidou the New Entrepreneurship Programme for 2021-2027 offers very attractive incentives that encourage women to establish new businesses, thus creating new job opportunities and contributing to the economic development of the country.

The 1st Call of the New Entrepreneurship Programme lasted from May 2021 to December 2021. A total of 820 applications were submitted 390 applicants have been approved for the amount of €22.4 million.

A total of 187 of the applicants are women, approved for €10.6 million. The majority of businesses created are in the services sector, in areas such as law and accounting offices, e-commerce, surgeries, dentistries, nurseries, beauty salons, gyms, and tourism establishments, such as traditional taverns and restaurants, and small hotels.

Furthermore, a large number of new enterprises are also set up in manufacturing, for example small food factories, bakeries, confectioneries, etc.

Addressing the event, Larnaca Mayor, Andreas Vyras said that Larnaca has occasionally demonstrated the importance of innovative and pioneering businesses, especially in times of “economic renaissance” that took place in the midst of social and economic crises. Hence, global experience and the indisputable outcome in local society, impose that we offer institutional support to start-ups as a measure of recovery and social vigour, he added.

He said that one of the main objectives of the event was to strengthen and to encourage the women entrepreneurship in Cyprus and in our city, to expand new vocational rehabilitation pathways for young people and to create new business opportunities.

Ambassador of Ireland to Cyprus, Conor Long, said the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized a programme for several years to promote events dedicated to women around the world.

“We are very keen to share our experiences and promotions for women in business and this is an important part of our prosperity in recent decades and Ireland’s leading entrepreneurship expert Paula Fitzsimons will highlight how programmes dedicated of female entrepreneurship and women in business have been essential, critical to our economic development,” he added.

Paula Fitzsimons said during her presentation that “some years ago in Ireland we had 1 in 20 women who were early stage entrepreneurs. Now we have 1 in 5 women.” The government, she said, acknowledged that there are not enough women entrepreneurs, and went on to improve this.

She also referred to the need to maximise entrepreneurial protection. Fitzsimons said that she developed the initiative “Going for Growth” which is to get more women to be ambitious and to support them to realise their growth aspirations.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The General Court of the European Union has rejected two pleas for annulment launched by the Foundation for the Protection of the Traditional Cheese of Cyprus named Halloumi, regarding two cases it had launched against the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and Cypriot company Papouis Dairies.

The Foundation had submitted these two pleas for annulment in September 2021, asking for the annulment of decisions issued on April 29th 2021 .

The General Court rejecting all four parts of the plea regarding both cases as unfounded, and ruled that the pleas must be rejected and, consequently, the action must be dismissed in its entirety.

The Foundation can seek an appeal against the decision, limited to points of law, before the Court of Justice of the EU in the next two months, according to a press release.

The Foundation for the Protection of the Traditional Cheese of Cyprus named Halloumi was created in 2013 by the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus Dairy Products Manufacturers Association.

The first case (?-558/21) referred to the registration of the figurative sign “fino Cyprus Halloumi Cheese”. The second case (?-565/21) referred to the registration by the same company of the figurative sign “Papouis Halloumi Papouis Dairies LTD PAP since 1967”.

The General Court is also expected to issue decisions in the spring regarding two separate appeals by the Foundation against companies in Bulgaria and Sweden regarding the use of the terms BBQLOUMI and GRILLOUMI.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Labour Minister Kyriacos Koushos said on Wednesday that he will not leave the Ministry unless he has promoted a revision of the strategy for the employment of workers from third countries, stressing that this issue is the responsibility of the Council of Ministers.

While taking stock of the work of his Ministry, he said that there is criticism from trade unions on the issue, noting that sectors such as agriculture and livestock breeding and the tourism industry cannot be left without workers, when there is no interest on behalf of Cypriots.

Referring to the discussions with trade unions on the cost of living allowance (COLA), he said that this is an issue he will leave to his successor noting that he has done whatever he could as mediator but the diametrically opposed views between trade unions and employers’ organizations did not allow him to submit a mediation proposal.

Koushos also referred to the establishment of the National Minimum Wage, which he described as “one of the greatest reforms in the country”.

He said that with the establishment of the minimum wage at €885 for full-time employment, which increases to €940 after six months of continuous employment, 20% of the employees, corresponding to 80,000 people will benefit and that the salary of approximately 40,000 people will increase up to 30%

Referring to the Guaranteed Minimum Income, the Minister said that in 2021 20,250 families benefited with an expenditure of €207.6 million which corresponds to an average of €10,252 per family compared to state aid in 2013 with an expenditure of €168 million for 23,872 families, that corresponds to an average of €7,037 per family.

The Minister also referred to the steady decrease in unemployment rates, citing data based on which the unemployment rate fell from 16.1% in 2014 to 6.7% in the first nine months of 2022.

He also pointed out that unemployment among young people aged 15 – 24 fell from 38.9% in 2013 to 17.1% in 2021, noting that there will continue to be problems with such a high percentage of new graduates.

“We’re doing studies to see how we’re going to deal with this problem, to direct our young people to the right professions based on the programming we have as a state in general for the economy and business,” he said.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of Labor said that with the wage and job subsidy from March 12, 2022 to December 31, 2022, 43.9% of workers were covered compared to 17.5% of EU average.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The value of retail trade was up significantly in 2022 on an annual basis while the volume recorded a more modest increase, data released on Wednesday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus show.

In particular, the Turnover Value Index of Retail Trade recorded a 11.3% increase in 2022 compared to 2021, while the Retail Trade Turnover Volume Index recorded a much smaller increase of 2.2%.

According to the official data, the Turnover Value Index for December 2022 increased by 10.9% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.

For the same month, the Turnover Volume Index increased by 4.0% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus has made important progress towards dealing with cancer compared to other member states in the EU, as cancer mortality in the country is among the lowest in the EU, but there remain important socioeconomic inequalities in cancer screening, according to the Country Cancer Profile of the country which was published on Wednesday by the European Commission and the OECD.

The country’s profile includes data showing that participation in cancer screening are high for breast and cervical cancer but low for other types of cancer, as well as that health technologies are mainly available in private sector institutions.

The Country Cancer Profiles are are the result of cooperation under the European Cancer Inequalities Registry between the Commission and OECD and covers all EU member states, Norway and Iceland. The report is available on https://cancer-inequalities.jrc.ec.europa.eu/country-cancer-profiles in both Greek and English.

According to the report, approximately 5,000 new cancer cases were expected in Cyprus in 2020, corresponding to an age-standardised incidence rate of 639 new cases per 100,000 population – above the EU average of 569. Cancer mortality in Cyprus is among the lowest in the EU.

The leading causes of cancer mortality among men were lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer, while among women they were breast, lung and colorectal cancer.

Regarding risk factors related to cancer, tobacco consumption remains a major public health concern in Cyprus, and with particularly high rates among men.

As far as prevention policies are concerned, the report notes that Cyprus introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the National Immunisation Programme in 2016. The most recent data on HPV vaccination coverage show that it is above the EU average.

Regarding early detection, the authors of the report note that breast cancer is the only cancer with a national population-based screening programme offered to a specific at-risk target population.

Participation rates in cancer screening are close to the EU averages for breast and cervical cancer but very low for colorectal cancer. Socioeconomic inequalities in uptake of cancer screening are substantial.

Finally, regarding cancer care, the report points out that overall quality of care in Cyprus, reflected in five-year survival rates, is good. However, low numbers of cancer procedures may hinder the quality of services and procedures provided.

The country has among the highest availability of health technology in the EU, but an important proportion is located in private sector institutions, which might lead to inequalities in access, it notes.

An important finding on the EU level is that lung cancer remains by far the most common cause of death from cancer. There are also large gender based and socio-economic inequalities in cancer mortality rates between and within EU countries.

Such disparities are partly explained by differences in exposure to risk factors such as smoking, obesity, harmful alcohol consumption or air pollution. Overall risk factors tend to be more prevalent among men and among low-income and low-education groups.

The challenges EU countries face in providing high quality cancer care differ. Some countries are well equipped, but face shortages in qualified health care staff, while others have a high number of qualified physicians, but lack, for example, radiation therapy equipment.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 8.5% in January 2023, down from 9.2% in December according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Annual inflation in Cyprus is expected to fall to 6.8%, compared to 7.6% in December 2022.

Looking at the main components of euro area inflation, energy is expected to have the highest annual rate in January (17.2%, compared with 25.5% in December), followed by food, alcohol and tobacco (14.1%, compared with 13.8% in December), non-energy industrial goods (6.9%, compared with 6.4% in December) and services (4.2%, compared with 4.4% in December).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has expressed gratitude for Greece’s long-standing cooperation and support in meetings he had on Wednesday morning in Athens with Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

On his part Mitsotakis spoke of the way Anastasiades handled the financial crisis and of his efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem which were not successful. During a meeting earlier with the Cypriot President Sakellaropoulou also referred to the Cyprus problem, stressing that it remains a top priority of Greek foreign policy.

In statements during his meeting with Mitsotakis, President Anastasiades said that “through close cooperation, we were able to tackle – and I believe we have tackled – several risks from Turkish revisionism and through diplomacy, the good neighborhood we have built through trilateral, quadrilateral, and multi-party alliances, we have protected the Republic of Cyprus enough to be able to be in a powerful position to negotiate a solution that is functional and sustainable, but also in line with European acquis”.

This, he added, will secure not only Greek Cypriots but also Turkish Cypriots, contributing to peace and the well-being of all the people of Cyprus.

Another reason for his presence in Greece today, he added, was to show solidarity to the Greek people with laying the foundation stone for housing projects to be built in Mati, Attica, funded by contributions from the Republic of Cyprus and Cypriot citizens following the devastating fires in the area.

The President said “I repeat, this is a simple gesture, because Greece’s solidarity with Cyprus was manifold in the same way, either with sacrifices, with blood, or with material actions that supported the Republic of Cyprus. And having said that, I want to add one thing: I will continue to be a Greek who worries about the fate of our Cyprus, for the fate of our Greece. I will be present not in power, but in whatever struggles we are called upon to undertake.”

On his part, the Greek Prime Minister said it was a moving moment as it is the last time, he is welcoming Anastasiades to Maximos Palace as President of the Republic of Cyprus.

He thanked Anastasiades for his services to Cyprus, noting he undertook office during the financial crisis, something that Greece underwent too. “You have managed not only to lift up the economy but to move Cyprus to different levels, therefore I believe you have every reason to be proud of this,” he added.

Mitsotakis further said that unfortunately the Cyprus problem was not resolved during Anastasiades’ tenure as President. He expressed the conviction that a viable, just and functional solution will remain in Anastasiades’ heart, a cause which he worked throughout his career for.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

After the meeting, and in the presence of President Anastasiades and the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Education of the two countries Niki Kerameos and Prodromos Prodromou signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications.

President Anastasiades was also received by his Greek counterpart, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

She said “our common mobilization is a determined intervention in EU institutions to avert Turkish plans to promote the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied north.”

She assured that the Cyprus problem remains a top concern for Greek foreign policy.

Anastasiades expressed gratitude for Greece’s longstanding support, noting that through the excellent and close diplomatic efforts both countries made “we have managed to secure UN decisions that work to protect the Republic of Cyprus”.

He underlined that Cypriot Hellenism survived due to the Greek support during critical times, both during the invasion and after.

At the same time, he added, “our common efforts within the EU create another dimension: the initiatives that the EU must take so that any solution, beyond being functional and sustainable, is fully in line with the European acquis:”.

Regarding Cyprus’ contribution at Mati, Anastasiades said it is the least that Cyprus can do to show its gratitude to the Greek people by laying the foundation stone for social housing and a park at the fire-torn area of Mati.

President Anastasiades said he acknowledges that lives lost cannot be replaced, however, the 10 million euros from private contributions is a way to contribute to the efforts of the Greek government to alleviate the pain caused by the disaster.

“From March 1, I will be a simple private citizen, however I will not stop being a Greek activist for peace, justice, and social solidarity,” he concluded.

On her part, Sakellaropoulou thanked Anastasiades for the cooperation the two had.

She confirmed that the close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus aims and continues to aim at achieving an agreed solution within the framework of UN Security Council decisions. “Turkish intransigence and provocative behavior will not deter us from supporting the UN Secretary General’s efforts to find a common ground for resuming negotiations,” she said.

The President of the Hellenic Republic emphasised that the joint mobilization of Greece and Cyprus leads to the consistent intervention of EU institutions to prevent Turkish actions and expose the false claims of Turkey.

She affirmed once again that Cyprus is a continuous and top priority for Greek foreign policy.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades announced that Cyprus will donate 2.5 million euros to the Greek Air Force as a gesture of solidarity after the death of two Greek pilots following the crash on Monday a Phantom fighter jet.

President Anastasiades, accompanied by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, visited today Mati –an area on the east coast of the Attica region affected by devastating fires in 2018– to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a social housing complex and a park, which will be built with the contribution of the Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the decision of the Cypriot government to donate 2.5 million euros for the Greek Air Force, Anastasiades said that this donation is also an expression of solidarity.

“As a sign of solidarity with the Hellenic Republic and the Greek people, the Cypriot government has decided to contribute 2.5 million euros”, Anastasiades said, while explaining that the Greek government will decide how to allocate a part of this donation to the Air Force while the remaining part will be dedicated in memory of the heroic pilots.

On the issue of Cyprus’ donation for the projects in Mati, Anastasiades underlined that this was also a gesture of solidarity with the Hellenism from mainland Greece “so supportive to us in critical times.”

As he explained, one million euros donated by Cypriot citizens and businesses will be used to create the park and ten million euros provided by the Republic of Cyprus will be invested for the construction of ten buildings of social housing, each with 14 apartments.

Finally, Nicos Anastasiades noted that his presence in Greece during these last days of his presidential term is greatly emotional for him. “Even after the Presidency, I will continue to fight for peace, freedom of our country, and social justice,” he concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The positive prospects for the registration of Cyprus’ “red potato”, as a Protected Geographical Indication, was the latest development announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Kostas Kadis, during a press conference where he took stock of his work at the Ministry during his five-year tenure, from 2018 to 2023. He also referred to the upcoming challenges for his successor and the new Government, as Cypriots go to the polls next Sunday to elect the country’s next President.

Kadis said that the description of the “Cyprus red potato” has been published in Cyprus, which is a decisive step for its registration. As he said, objections must be raised within a period of one month and then an application to the European Commission will follow. According to the Minister the goal must be achieved by the end of the year, allowing the second most exportable product of Cyprus to deal with the competition abroad.

Regarding the challenges for the next Minister of Agriculture and the new Government, Kadis said that there will be challenges concerning the management of halloumi as a product with protected designation of origin (PDO) from now on, due to issues with quotas. He noted that with the actions taken at the European level, the mandatory 50-50% quota, concerning the proportion of cow and sheep/goat milk, will not take effect until 2029 and he said that there will be pressure not to increase that percentage. Kadis said that the new Minister should issue decrees until 2029 for a gradual increase of 5% per year of the proportion of sheep/goat milk used in halloumi.

The registration of Cyprus’ tradition cheese as PDO in 2021, was described by the Minister as a significant development with “highly encouraging results.”

At the same time, he said that the new Minister will face many challenges regarding waste management, a particularly important issue, as he said, where there have been failures in the past. He noted that two infrastructures in Pentakomo and Koshi should be built and the new “Pay as you throw” legislation should be implemented.

As a third challenge, the Minister referred to the need to better equip the Ministry with means that will allow it to better deal with the effects of climate change, especially on the issue of wildfires. He also referred to the need of implementation of the big water projects that are planned.

Regarding the local plan of Akamas, aiming to ensure the protection of an area of unique natural environment, the Minister said that it is expected at the Environment Department of his Ministry within the next few days. The Department will evaluate it and proceed with its publication.

Referring to the work of the Ministry over the last five years, Kadis said that it has served the vision to make Cyprus more sustainable and “greener”, through the implementation of the principles of sustainable development in the agricultural sector and sustainable management of natural resources, in accordance to the basic principles of the EU Green Deal.

In the field of rural development, he said that the Ministry’s actions focused on improving conditions for farmers, increasing their income and making the agricultural sector more competitive and more environmentally friendly.

Through the Rural Development Program (RDP), he said that more than 180 million euros have been allocated for these purposes in the agricultural sector and 240 million euros have been allocated to farmers as hectare subsidies, thus improving their income.

Regarding the protection and welfare of animals, he said that the Ministry has developed important initiatives aimed at creating an integrated institutional framework.

In the field of fisheries, marine research and blue growth, he said that the Ministry’s efforts were focused on the economic and social well-being of Cyprus’ fishing sector, in a clean, healthy and productive marine environment.

In the field of water policy, he said that activities focused on meeting water needs in a sustainable manner on the one hand and ensuring the quality and protection of water resources and the environment on the other.

In the field of the environment, he stressed the importance of the creation of a new Directorate -General of Environment, under the Ministry. He also said that the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, with a time horizon of 2030 and a budget of around 30 million euros, was approved and started to be implemented.

He finally said that the top action regarding dealing with the climate change was the initiative by the President of Cyprus for the coordination of the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East. As he said, more than 240 scientists participated in that initiative, under the coordination of the Cyprus Institute, and their suggestions, in the form of an action plan, were adopted at a conference of the region’s leaders, which took place in Egypt in 2022.

Source: Cyprus News Agency