The importance and impact of the Cypriot business community was underlined by the President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI-KEBE), Stavros Stavrou, during his speech at the 12th KEBE Business Leader Awards ceremony, jointly organized by the CCCI and IMH and presented by Genikes Insurance.
Stavrou stated that this institution was created to honour those entrepreneurs who excelled, demonstrated insight, courage and ethics, and managed to open new paths even through adverse circumstances.
He stressed that Cypriot businesses are the main driving force of growth, contributing to GDP, job creation, extroversion, technological transition and the overall economic stability of the country. He also underlined their particularly important social contribution, from education and culture to corporate social responsibility and the promotion of sustainability.
MStavrou pointed out that Cyprus businesses have demonstrated resilience even in times of crisis, while the entrepreneurs honored this year are models of leadership, ethics and quality. He gave assurances that the CCCI will continue to actively support the business world, promoting an institutional framework that enhances competitiveness, reduces bureaucracy and shapes a modern, sustainable and friendly environment for every business activity.
Stavrou's full address, translated from the orginal Greek, can be read below:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 12th consecutive celebration of Cypriot entrepreneurship: the KEBE Business Leader Awards. An evening dedicated to excellence, innovation, foresight, and the power of creativity that characterises Cypriot enterprises.
The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry established these awards as an institution in order to highlight the value and recognition owed to those entrepreneurs who have demonstrated leadership abilities and excelled in their fields. The entrepreneurs being honoured at tonight’s ceremony are those who managed to overcome formidable obstacles; those who had a vision and dared to pursue it with integrity and dynamism; those who introduced new ideas, earning them this distinction.
Through the KEBE Business Leader Awards, we acknowledge the leadership capabilities and the principles that define a successful leader, such as professionalism, innovation, insight, in-depth knowledge of the sector in which they operate, as well as business ethics.
As the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry, we could not be prouder of the progress demonstrated by our business community. Despite the small size of our country, its entrepreneurial footprint is remarkable. And this is due entirely to the people behind our enterprises — the leaders, the innovators, the visionaries of every business initiative.
As has long been proven, Cypriot enterprises are the driving force of growth.
They contribute decisively:
• To the country’s GDP, serving as the principal pillar of economic activity.
• To the creation and preservation of thousands of jobs, offering opportunities to young, skilled professionals and scientists.
• To strengthening outward-looking activity, with more and more businesses entering new markets, exporting products, services, and know-how, and enhancing Cyprus’ international profile.
• To technological and digital transition, through investment in innovative solutions, automation, research, and development.
• To economic stability, as they form the foundation of public revenues and economic resilience.
Our enterprises have demonstrated their ability to withstand, adapt, and evolve, even through periods of crisis, such as the financial crisis, the pandemic, the consequences of armed conflicts in the Middle East, energy volatility, and more. With flexibility, realism, and determination, they have repeatedly paved the road to recovery.
But the importance of businesses is not confined to the economy. Their contribution to Cypriot society is equally vital.
Businesses:
• Systematically support social cohesion through corporate social responsibility programmes, sponsorships, and solidarity initiatives.
• Strengthen education by financing training programmes, scholarships, and partnerships with universities.
• Promote sustainability by investing in green technologies, renewable energy sources, and environmentally friendly practices.
• Cultivate a work culture and ethos that respect people, embrace diversity, and create healthy professional prospects.
• Support culture and sport, contributing significantly to social development and the cultural life of the country.
Behind every business lies a chain of people: employees, suppliers, partners, families. When our businesses progress, society as a whole progresses. And that is perhaps their most important contribution.
Tonight, we honour leaders who do far more than simply run successful enterprises.
We honour people who:
• Dare when others hesitate,
• See opportunities where others see obstacles,
• Invest in human capital,
• Raise the bar of quality and competitiveness ever higher.
Entrepreneurial leadership is, above all, an act of responsibility. And tonight’s award recipients have proven that they shoulder this responsibility with seriousness, vision, and consistency.
As the CCCI, we feel immense pride in the calibre, the outward focus, and the dynamism that Cypriot enterprises display, despite the challenges of recent years. In an environment that is changing rapidly — with digital transformation, geopolitical instability, and intense global competitive pressures — our enterprises prove again and again that they possess the knowledge, strategy, and resilience to stand out.
As in previous years, this year’s awards honour the role of private enterprises and especially the people who staff and lead them, as they are the ones upon whom we rely for continued growth and the opening of new pathways for our economy.
At the same time, the award recipients serve as examples of sound business models, both in Cyprus and abroad. However, the CCCI’s recognition of outstanding entrepreneurs has an additional, equally important purpose:
– We want to send the right message to new entrepreneurs that entrepreneurship must be based on values such as mutual respect, healthy competition, and the implementation of best practices.
As the CCCI, we are committed always to stand by your side.
To work for a regulatory framework that:
• Enhances competitiveness,
• Reduces bureaucracy,
• Promotes sustainable development,
• Supports innovation and investment,
• Ensures a stable, modern, and business-friendly environment for every entrepreneurial activity.
Our shared goal is clear: a strong, modern, competitive, and socially conscious Cyprus.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we celebrate excellence, but also something even more significant:
We celebrate our confidence in the potential of Cypriot business and the Cypriot economy.
Cyprus has enterprises that can stand with merit on the international stage, and today’s honourees prove it. We thank you for your contribution to our economy and encourage you to continue with the same dedication, passion, and determination.
Congratulations to all the enterprises we honour tonight, and to all those who work every day with commitment, contributing to our economy and society.
In closing, I wish to thank the members of the Awards Selection Committee for the outstanding work they carry out and for their sound judgment in the challenging task of selecting among distinguished entrepreneurs. Rest assured that the CCCI will continue to innovate, to propose solutions for a more flexible and effective business environment, to strengthen the business community, and to support ethical entrepreneurship.
I offer my warmest congratulations to all award recipients and express our heartfelt thanks to all the Sponsors who support this institution.
Thank you very much.
The 12th KEBE BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS were jointly organised by the CCCI and IMH and presented by Genikes Insurance. The Gold Sponsor was European University Cyprus and the Silver Sponsors were Primetel and Sklavenitis. The event was supported by OPAP Cyprus. The communication sponsors were IN Business and Omega.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
