Petros Christodoulou: “Cyprus is more than a testbed—it is a scale-up platform for climate-smart infrastructure investment"

Cyprus is more than a testbed—it is a scale-up platform for climate-smart infrastructure investment, said Petros Christodoulou, Chairman, Eurobank Ltd, in his address at the Investopia Global Mediterranean Forum taking place in Limassol

Christodoulou said the topic in hand was of increasing global significance and tremendous potential: “The convergence of strategic investment, energy, trade facilitation, and financial sector in shaping the sustainable economies of tomorrow.”

In this context, he said, Cyprus is a credible, forward-looking business and investment centre, uniquely positioned to catalyse and connect progress across borders and continents.

As a full member of the European Union and Eurozone, Cyprus provides a stable currency, full access to the European Single Market, and alignment with EU energy, environmental, and investment policies, said Christodoulou. “This makes Cyprus not just a geographic bridge, but a policy bridge—linking Europe’s regulatory strength with the innovation needs of its southern and eastern neighbours,” he added.

In line with the EU’s Green Deal, Fit-for-55, and Digital Decade targets, Cyprus is embedding sustainability at the heart of its national strategy: from renewable energy expansion and energy interconnectivity to sustainable finance, desalination technology, and smart infrastructure investment, he said.

As the bank official pointed out, Cyprus has long battled with scarce freshwater resources and historical energy dependence. However, he added, this makes it a natural laboratory for cross-sector innovation and he referred to recent government-backed initiatives that focus on expanding solar, wind, and battery storage projects; modernising desalination infrastructure and water reuse systems, and promoting green hydrogen feasibility studies

Participating in interconnector projects linking Cyprus to Greece, Israel, and Egypt

“Cyprus is in the process of launching the strategic interconnector projects linking its energy grid with Greece, Israel, and Egypt—initiatives such as the EuroAsia and EuroAfrica Interconnectors,” said Christodoulou. “These cross-border electricity corridors are designed to strengthen regional energy security, enhance grid resilience, and enable the transfer of clean energy across continents. Cyprus’ geographic position—at the nexus of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa—makes it an ideal hub for such integration, transforming the island into a regional energy hub.”

Supported by access to EU Recovery and Resilience Funds, national development strategies under Vision 2035, and increasing participation from private-public co-investment platforms, and with its stable regulatory framework, business-friendly tax regime, and high-quality professional services ecosystem, “Cyprus is more than a testbed—it is a scale-up platform for climate-smart infrastructure investment,” said Christodoulouu. “This makes the country not only a conduit for sustainable energy but also a launchpad for companies looking to develop, test, and export green innovations across three continents.”

Though he added, sustainability cannot thrive without trust. Cyprus offers a predictable regulatory environment, underpinned by a legal system based on English Common Law and full adherence to EU financial and environmental legislation.

Meanwhile, he said, the island’s legal system and full adherence to financial and environmental legislation, combined with simple company formation, transparent licensing processes, and strong intellectual property protections, enhance Cyprus’ attractiveness for climate tech, cleantech, and infrastructure investors seeking policy certainty.

Investment-grade banking and Eurobank's acquisition

The Cypriot banking system, now fully stabilised, is embracing its role in financing a green, inclusive economy, said Christodoulou. Strong capital positions, upgraded sovereign and institutional credit ratings, and a commitment to ESG lending frameworks are enabling banks to support sustainable growth across sectors, said Hellenic Bank’s Chairman.

And Eurobank, which recently acquired Hellenic Bank, is aligned with Cyprus’ Vision 2035, financing strategic sectors such as education, agritech, ICT, and green infrastructure. “We are expanding our portfolio of green loan products, co-financing opportunities with European institutions, and developing tools to evaluate climate risk and sustainable impact in lending practices,” he revealed.

Elsewhere, he said the government’s investment in R&D hubs, digital infrastructure, and startup funding reflects a policy vision that moves beyond compliance to leadership in green and digital convergence.

Summing up, Chrsitodoulou said Cyprus is not merely an attractive business destination—it is a forward-leaning policy environment with the ambition and infrastructure to support cross-border partnerships in energy and water.

“Its location between Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia allows Cyprus to serve as a collaborative staging ground—connecting capital, expertise, and scalable solutions in regions where sustainable development is both a necessity and an opportunity,” he pointed out.

Concuding, Chrstodoulou said: “The Eurobank Group investment of c. €1,3 billion for acquiring Hellenic Bank and in few days the merger of Hellenic with Eurobank Cyprus are a testament to our Group’s long-term confidence in Cyprus and its strategic trajectory. This move comes to underscore our belief in the island’s potential as a regional investment, trade, and innovation hub. It also reflects our commitment to embedding ourselves more deeply in the economic fabric of the region — supporting its transformation through robust financial intermediation, strategic partnerships, and long-term value creation. Through this acquisition, we signal not only trust in the Cypriot system, but a clear alignment with the vision we are promoting today.”

Event ID:

In partnership with:

Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Republic of Cyprus, Invest Cyprus, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Main sponsor: Eurobank

Gold Sponsors: Altia, Columbia Group, Finvasia

Silver Sponsors: Athlos Capital, Ecommbx, EY, Perfect Circle Trust, Argyrides & Associates LLC, STI Taxand Cyprus, K.Treppides & Co Ltd

Sponsor: IMR

Organisers: Investopia & IMH