Author: cnadmin

The European Commission adopted on Monday the Annual Action Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, worth €33.4 million.

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said that the Aid Programme has shown to bring important tangible benefits to the people of Cyprus. She added that the new set of projects adopted seek to support economic development, reconciliation and confidence building measures including substantial assistance for the implementation of the Halloumi/Hellim PDO package. “I am confident that this will contribute to efforts for a reunification of Cyprus, which is the ultimate goal of our programme”, she noted.

According to the Commission’s statement, the Programme plans tailored measures as part of the wide-ranging EU support to implement the Halloumi/Hellim package, to help Turkish Cypriots meet the relevant EU standards. This support follows the Commission’s registration of Halloumi/Hellim as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in April 2021. It includes improving the food safety and hygiene standards, upgrading dairy farms and dairy yield quality, increasing the yields of sheep and goat milk, and eradicating animal diseases.

Additionally, the programme includes continued support for green energy and environment, in line with the European Green Deal priorities. Projects that will be funded will bring infrastructure and environmental protection closer to European standards. Examples are, among others, measures to complete the air quality monitoring system and the design and acquisition of a noise monitoring system.

To build confidence between the Turkish and Greek communities in Cyprus, the press release adds, the programme will continue to offer substantial financing to the Committee on Missing Persons and the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. Support will also be offered to Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scholars to jointly attend the United World College (UWC) as part of the bi-communal scholarship programme.

The Commission’s statement notes that the programme will further promote trade across the Green Line by developing sustainable and competitive fisheries. Finally, it will help to address challenges to economic development and enhance the employability of youth by investing in measures on vocational education and training.

The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, according to the Commission, aims to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and can furthermore act as Confidence Building Measures, building bridges between the two Communities. Hence, a particular focus is on the economic integration of the island and on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU.

Between 2006 and 2022, €656 million have been allocated for projects under the Aid Programme. the programme is managed by the Commission’s DG REFORM.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The inland temperature on Tuesday is expected to rise to 40 degrees Celsius, according to a yellow warning issued by the Cyprus Department of Meteorology.

The warning is valid from Tuesday 26th July at noon, until 5pm of the same day.

According to the Department of Meteorology, some health risks amongst vulnerable people e.g. the elderly and very young are possible.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Commission is adopting today the 2022 Annual Action Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, worth €33.4 million.

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Our Aid Programme has shown to bring important tangible benefits to the people of Cyprus and remains as relevant as ever. Today we adopt a new set of projects seeking to support economic development, reconciliation and confidence building measures including substantial assistance for the implementation of the Halloumi/Hellim PDO package. I am confident that this will contribute to efforts for a reunification of Cyprus, which is the ultimate goal of our programme.”

The Programme plans tailored measures as part of the wide-ranging EU support to implement the Halloumi/Hellim package, to help Turkish Cypriots meet the relevant EU standards. This support follows the Commission’s registration of Halloumi/Hellim as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in April 2021. It includes improving the food safety and hygiene standards, upgrading dairy farms and dairy yield quality, increasing the yields of sheep and goat milk, and eradicating animal diseases.

The programme also includes continued support for green energy and environment, in line with the European Green Deal priorities. Projects that will be funded will bring infrastructure and environmental protection closer to European standards. Examples are among others, measures to complete the air quality monitoring system and the design and acquisition of a noise monitoring system.

To build confidence between the Turkish and Greek communities in Cyprus, the programme will continue to offer substantial financing to the Committee on Missing Persons and the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. Support will also be offered to Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scholars to jointly attend the United World College (UWC) as part of the bi-communal scholarship programme.

The programme will further promote trade across the Green Line by developing sustainable and competitive fisheries. Finally, it will help to address challenges to economic development and enhance the employability of youth by investing in measures on vocational education and training.

Background

The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community aims to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and can furthermore act as Confidence Building Measures, building bridges between the two Communities. Hence, a particular focus is on the economic integration of the island and on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU.

Between 2006 and 2022, €656 million have been allocated for projects under the Aid Programme. the programme is managed by the Commission’s DG REFORM.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

UK High Commissioner to Cyprus, Stephen Lillie, said on Monday that his country maintains a consistent policy on the Cyprus problem, assuring of London’s continuous support to efforts for the resumption of the negotiating process for a settlement.

Lillie had a farewell meeting with the House of Representatives President, Annita Demetriou, as his term of office to Cyprus comes to an end. According to a parliament press release, referring to the current developments in the Cyprus problem, Demetriou expressed disappointment over the rejection by the Turkish side of the Confidence Building Measures which Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, has proposed.

Moreover, she underlined that the Greek Cypriot side’s steadfast objective is to resume talks with a view to reunite Cyprus in conditions of peace and security, according to the international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Demetriou noted the excellent cooperation between the House of Representatives and the UK High Commission and thanked for Lillie’s substantive contribution to its enhancement during his term of office.

She also referred to the absolutely successful visit of Sir Lindsey Hoyle to Cyprus – the first official visit which a Speaker of the House of Commons paid to the island – last February, underlining the existing prospects and opportunities to continue and further enhance the cooperation between the two countries and their parliaments in fields of mutual interest.

On his part, the British High Commissioner thanked Demetriou for the excellent cooperation with the House of Representatives during his term of office, and expressed satisfaction over the continuous strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between the UK and Cyprus.

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.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

ExpensiCon, the World’s Only Accounting and Fintech Festival Hosted by Expensify, Is Back in Italy For 2023

The invite-only, all-expenses-paid event at Borgo Egnazia in Puglia will bring together 100 of the top accounting firms and fintech players from around the globe to kickstart the creation of an industry-changing community

PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Expensify, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXFY), a payments superapp that helps individuals and businesses around the world simplify the way they manage money across expenses, corporate cards and bills, today announced the return of ExpensiCon on May 18-22, 2023, in Puglia, Italy. An exclusive group of world-class accountants and fintech titans are invited to the Italian countryside for five days of community building, thought leadership, networking, roundtable sessions, and surprise events amongst the olive groves. Previous ExpensiCons in Bora Bora and Maui included attendees from PwC, Deloitte, BDO, CLA, Baker Tilly, and EisnerAmper, as well as fireside chats with Travis Kalanick of Uber, Zach Nelson of NetSuite, and Rod Drury of Xero.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220725005172/en/

“ExpensiCon is how we share our motto ‘Live Rich, Have Fun, and Save The World’ with our top partners and industry thought leaders to build a new type of community that’s laser focused on the future,” says David Barrett, founder and CEO of Expensify. “And what better place to kick things off than a five-star luxury retreat, worlds away from the distractions of everyday life? It’s the perfect environment to grow productive relationships with the most brilliant minds, and focus on solving the industry’s most pressing problems.”

The event will include a mix of keynotes, roundtable discussions, fireside chats, 1-on-1 networking opportunities and strategy sessions, and VIP events. In addition, attendees and their guests will also experience the beauty of Puglia on curated relationship-building excursions throughout the region that feature pasta making, wine tasting, yacht tours, and more.

Founder and Chief Solutions Officer of QA Business and previous ExpensiCon attendee Clayton Oates mentions, “One thing I loved about how Expensify approached ExpensiCon is that they threw out conventional wisdom about events. Rather than throwing a large-scale, content-rich event focused on short-term impact, at a boring convention center, they instead focused on laying a foundation for collaboration within and outside the accounting profession. Expensify’s long-term view, balanced agenda, and ability to create magical experiences in the world’s most stunning locations really contribute to the attendees getting the most out of the experience. ExpensiCon is the one event you don’t want to miss.”

To secure your invite, learn more at expensicon.com.

About Expensify

Expensify is a payments superapp that helps individuals and businesses around the world simplify the way they manage money. More than 12 million people use Expensify’s free features, which include corporate cards, expense tracking, next-day reimbursement, invoicing, bill pay, and travel booking in one app. All free. Whether you own a small business, manage a team, or close the books for your clients, Expensify makes it easy so you have more time to focus on what really matters.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Two helicopters are expected to arrive in Cyprus on Tuesday as part of the country’s efforts to increase its state of preparedness in case of fires.

The two helicopters will join six other aircraft used for the same purpose.

The Director of the Forestry Department, Charalambos Alexandrou, told CNA that the two leased helicopters and their crews are expected to arrive on Tuesday. This will raise the number of the Republic’s aircraft whose primary aim is firefighting, to eight, he said, adding that the goal of raising their number from six to eight “has been achieved.”

He said that, upon arrival the helicopters will be inspected, and after the crews are briefed, they will be ready to operate when necessary.

“Efforts will be made to have them ready by next weekend,” he added.

Alexandrou also said that the Forestry Department, has at its disposal a drone for regularly monitoring, in cooperation with the Cyprus Institute, some areas while their goal is to very soon increase their number to two. He also said that they are using, when necessary, the services of the Civil Defence in terms of the use of drones, as well as a camera that provides information for fire detection, of the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center.

The Forestry Department Director said that existing conditions are more difficult, as the temperatures have risen, and relative humidity is very low, which makes their work more difficult, and called on members of the public to avoid any activities that could start fires. He pointed out that sparks on dry vegetation will lead to fires as people, in such hot and dry climate conditions, will be unable to contain the flames.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

State hospitals in Cyprus are fully ready to deal with possible cases in Cyprus from monkeypox, assured on Monday, Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, adding that Nicosia General Hospital was designated as the reference hospital, with ten beds available and a capacity to accommodate more cases.

Speaking after the extraordinary meeting he convened, following the World Health Organisation’s decision to declare monkeypox a global health emergency, Hadjipantela said he had the opportunity to review the hospitals’ state of readiness in case there is an outbreak of the virus.

The meeting convened in the presence of State Health Services Organisation (SHSO) who is in charge of managing possible monkeypox cases.

The SHSO presented an action plan to the Minister, prepared in collaboration with the Medical Services and is based on screening, isolation and clinical assessment.

Hadjipantela told reporters that on Thursday they received information from WHO, which alarmed the Ministry of Health.

He explained that all procedures were evaluated, the steps that will be taken after a possible case is detected, where the laboratory tests and hospitalisation will take place.

The Minister said he is satisfied with the plan which will continue to be reviewed. If we have to improve it, we will see how to go about it at a later stage, he added.

He also said that later on today he expects to know which day the vaccines to fight monkeypox will arrive.

SHSO director General, Kypros Stavrides said the organisation presented its action plan to the Minister and it is already being implemented after 10 possible cases were located. However, these cases were examined and were negative.

Dr. Linos Hadjihannas, Infectious Disease Specialist said that since May and after the ten suspected cases arose, all procedures were followed and after examination, the ten cases proved to be negative. We have been ready since May to handle any case or confirmed case”, he added.

State of affairs on COVID-19

Regarding the situation of COVID-19 on the island, Minister Hadjipantela said there has been a decline in the number of new cases.

At the moment, there are 98 COVID hospitalisations. On Saturday, there were 989 cases from 9,838 tests and on Sunday 537 from 8,389 tests. “We have managed to overcome successfully all of COVID’s waves,” the Minister concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Today, Gorillas and NielsenIQ announced a cooperation agreement to connect the agility of the quick-delivery and the power of the big data. Our cooperative relationship will bring manufacturers more detailed insights to enable their businesses to thrive and accelerate with the required velocity and granularity.

With this alliance, NielsenIQ will become Gorillas’ preferred data and analytics provider in Germany, France, UK, Netherlands and the U.S. NielsenIQ will provide Gorillas with a combination of industry leading analytics, including consumer-sourced panel data and custom retail analytics. NielsenIQ’s combined consumer panel and analytics, the only integrated data set of this capacity available to the industry, brings forth a deeper view of shopper panel data. With access to the detailed read of sales from Gorillas, NielsenIQ’s benchmarks will be enhanced with the detailed performance read coming straight to clients from the trending quick-commerce industry leader in Europe.

“We are thrilled that Gorillas has chosen NielsenIQ to supply them with the most comprehensive consumer data available,” says David Johnson, President, Global Retail at NielsenIQ. “This is very exciting to work in cooperation with Gorillas, a company that we have closely followed as a market leader in the grocery ordering and delivery industry. Innovation in grocery ecommerce and last mile delivery is moving at lightning speed and our data cooperation will allow for better decisions at Gorillas and with manufacturers, something the industry is excited about.”

The evolutions of the e-commerce landscape and consumer behaviour are integral parts of the FMCG industry’s fast-paced reality. Online seamless purchasing and offline quick deliveries make the daily shopping a truly omni experience. While the e-commerce playing field is on the path to greater diversity, online players need an accurate read and benchmark of digital FMCG – that’ why NielsenIQ continues adding further granularity and enhanced insights into quick commerce.

About NielsenIQ

NielsenIQ, a global information services company, delivers the gold standard in consumer and retail measurement, through the most connected, complete, and actionable understanding of the evolving global, omnichannel consumer. NielsenIQ is the source of confidence for the industries we serve and the pioneer defining the next century of consumer and retail measurement. Our data, connected insights, and predictive analytics optimize the performance of CPG and retail companies, bringing them closer to the communities they serve and helping to power their growth.

NielsenIQ, an Advent International portfolio company, has operations in 90+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit NielsenIQ.com.

Contacts

Media

Europe: Julia Mayer Julia.Mayer@nielseniq.com

North America: Gillian Mosher Gillian.Mosher@nielseniq.com

This material is not a CNA editorial material and CNA shall not bear responsibility for the accuracy of its content. In case you have any questions about the content, kindly refer to the contact person mentioned in the text of the press release.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The EU funded Innovative Entrepreneurship project has launched the 2022 Startups4Peace (Su4P) programme in cooperation with the Embassy of Finland.

According to a a press release on behalf of the Startups4Peace, he programme aims to encourage innovative entrepreneurs with new business ideas and intercommunal vision in Cyprus to come together, work in partnership and develop closer contacts between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

The successful applicants will be supported to develop and test-market their business ideas after going through series of bootcamps and a pitching battle. The ultimate prize for three winning teams will be participating at SLUSH, the world’s leading start-up exhibition in Helsinki, Finland, in November 2022.

Su4P is a competition and mini-accelerator programme co-funded by the European Union and the Embassy of Finland within the scope of the Innovative Entrepreneurship project implemented by NI-CO. The programme is delivered in partnership with CYENS Centre of Excellence, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

The call for applications will be open between 4 July and 19 August 2022.

Detailed information with the scheme criteria, guidelines and the application form are available at https://www.startups4peace.eu/. Applications are required to be submitted via info@inovatif.eu by 19 August 2022.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, still tests positive for COVID-19.

Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos, said in a written statement, that the President tested again positive on Monday morning. Anastasiades was diagnosed with COVID-19 last Tuesday and cancelled all his activities since then.

According to Pelekanos, despite the fact that according to the medical protocols the President could follow his programme normally in the following days, acting responsibly he will resume his public activities once he tests negative.

Source: Cyprus News Agency