At a time when Cyprus is at the epicenter of European developments, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has outlined, through his interview with IN Business, the Government's vision and priorities for the economy, extroversion and the country's role in the international environment.
The interview was given on the occasion of IN Business magazine's 20th anniversary issue, which will be on the newsstands on Sunday, 4 January. In it, the President highlights, among other things, the strategy to strengthen Cyprus' reputation as a key pillar of development policy.
In the interview, President Christodoulides refers to economic figures, underlining that responsible fiscal policy, far from populism and past practices, has yielded tangible results. High growth rates, almost full employment, low inflation and a significant reduction in public debt compose, as he notes, an environment of reliability and stability, which functions as a strong message to the international investment community.
In addition to macroeconomic indicators, special emphasis is placed on reforms. The President refers to the effort to modernise the state, with a focus on simplifying procedures, digitising public administration and promoting innovation. The goal is to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of businesses, through a more flexible, efficient and business-friendly state.
A central element of the interview is the direct connection between foreign and domestic policy. In an unstable geopolitical environment, Cyprus, as the President emphasises, is emerging through actions as a pillar of security, institutional stability and predictability. Its status as a member state of the European Union, combined with upgraded diplomatic relations with countries in the region, the Gulf, but also with markets such as India, strengthen the country's role as a bridge between Europe and international markets.
The organised international campaign to enhance Cyprus' reputation, which is already underway, falls within the same framework. The President describes a targeted effort to reposition the country on the global economic map, with an emphasis on highlighting the comparative advantages of the Cypriot economy, sound fiscal policy and the dynamics of Cypriot business.
Particular reference is also made to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which, as Christodoulides notes, coincides with a critical period for Europe's competitiveness. Against the backdrop of the conclusions of the Draghi report, the Government prioritises the simplification of regulations, improving access to finance and strengthening the single digital market. Support for initiatives such as the European Competitiveness Fund and the Savings and Investment Association aims to create a more friendly environment for businesses, especially SMEs.
In the field of financing, the establishment of the National Enterprise Development Organisation is of key importance something that aspires to function as a single gateway to modern financial tools for SMEs.
Finally, reference is also made to the issue of the labour market and the lack of specialised personnel. With unemployment at low levels, the Government is implementing a multi-layered strategy that includes the repatriation of talent through the Minds in Cyprus initiative, the attraction of high-value-added companies and the connection of education with the real needs of the market.
Read the interview in the 20th anniversary issue of IN Business, which is published on Sunday, 4 January.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
