President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed the certainty that the Cypriot defence industry will reach a double-digit figure in terms of Cyprus's GDP in the coming years, emphasising that it is a very promising new sector of the economy.
Welcoming the members of the Cyprus Defence Industry Council to the Presidential Palace for a meeting in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Vassilis Palmas, Christodoulides said that "last year we took the decision to institutionalise the Cyprus Defence Industry Council and I want to see what we have accomplished in a year."
As he explained, "We set some goals, I want to see what was implemented, what was not implemented. We had also talked about a registry of Cypriot companies. It is important to strengthen the extroversion of Cypriot companies. You know very well how much I believe in your capabilities. I always make a public statement because I truly believe that the Cypriot defense industry is very promising."
"We also have the prospect of SAFE and the opportunities that are created. We have the 15% clause in the purchase of equipment from third countries, we have the exhibitions. I have responded positively to being in Athens to support you. And I want to see what we have done in a year, how we are progressing, what we have not implemented, what we need to strengthen more," Christodoulides added.
Christodoulides further indicated that "I consider it entirely possible that the Cypriot defence industry in the coming years will reach a double-digit figure in terms of the country's GDP. And what I am saying is not an exaggeration at all. I know your capabilities very well. It is a very promising new sector of our economy, but also within the framework of our own clear will to strengthen the deterrent power of our country."
"So, I want to see specifically today what we have achieved, how we are progressing, what we need to correct, and that is why I called this meeting," the President of the Republic concluded.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
