Cyprus will continue its efforts to modernise the way the government operates and strengthen its investment appeal, president Nikos Christodoulides pledged on Thursday.

Addressing the general assembly of the association of large investment projects on Thursday, Christodoulides stated that despite an international backdrop of “instability, uncertainty and tensions”, Cyprus has managed to remain an attractive and reliable investment destination.

He said that this has been the result of “a modern regulatory framework, a business-friendly environment and a responsible fiscal policy”.

He also pointed to comparative advantages that bolster Cyprus’ regional role, describing the country as a pillar of stability “with a real, substantial prospect of becoming a hub of entrepreneurship, innovation and development”.

On fiscal data, Christodoulides referred to growth among the highest in the EU and public debt expected to fall below 56 per cent of GDP by year-end.

Limassol led the way in Cyprus’ high-value real estate transactions in September 2025, contributing significantly to the total of €21.3 million recorded across the island, according to real estate analytics firm Ask Wire. 

Notably, the most expensive transaction was a €5.1m apartment in Ayios Antonios, Limassol, as the district once again dominated the top sales alongside Paphos. 

In addition to this, Limassol recorded five transactions among the top ten sales, while Paphos followed with three. Famagusta and Larnaca accounted for the remaining two. 

Specifically, in Limassol, the total value of these transactions amounted to €16m, while in Paphos the value reached €11.3m.  

Meanwhile, Famagusta recorded €7.35m, Nicosia €6.15m, and Larnaca €6m. 

Eurobank on Thursday released a statement detailing its participation at the 13th Energy Symposium, which took place in Nicosia this week.

Eurobank was an official sponsor of the symposium, which, according to the bank, enabled it to underline the need to “accelerate the energy transition while leveraging Cyprus’ strategic location”.

The event, held under the theme ‘Time for energy projects’, focused on the major challenges facing the energy sector amid global geopolitical instability, the widening international energy crisis and the growing need to expand the use of renewable energy sources.

Discussions centred on natural gas, electricity, renewables and the need to secure a more modern, competitive and sustainable energy model.

Housing affordability pressures in Cyprus and across the EU are prompting calls for tighter controls on property purchases by third-country nationals, faster licensing and a unified housing authority, according to participants at the 4th Akel economy forum in Nicosia.

The discussion, held under the theme ‘Mass Real Estate Purchase and Housing Crisis: Right or Privilege?’, brought together Akel MP Aristos Damianou, MEP Ilaria Salis, scientific and technical chamber (Etek) chairman Constantinos Constanti and association of building contractors (Oseok) president Stelios Gavriil.

As mentioned at Politis, they warned that despite national and European measures, the housing problem continues to deepen, with rising sale prices and rents pushing low- and middle-income households further out of the market.

Salis said demand pressures in Cyprus mirror those seen in many Italian cities, adding that the housing crisis “is something the entire EU has been facing in recent years”.

Walking into Messukeskus on the first morning of Slush 2025 you feel the pace before you see it. The lights are low. The stages are loud. The queues for startup booths, investor lounges, and side events form fast and move even faster.

This year Slush brings together over 13,000 founders, investors, and operators from more than 100 countries, with thousands of startup leaders and fund managers managing trillions in capital on the ground.

In the middle of that noise Cyprus again has a clear presence. The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) leads a 13-startup delegation, returning for a fourth consecutive year with an official national mission that cuts across AI, health tech, sustainability, biotech, and digital platforms.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) and a delegation from Connect Europe, an association representing telecommunications and connectivity providers, held a meeting this week at the Cyta offices in Cyprus.

The purpose of the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, was the exchange of views and the exploration of ways to improve telecommunications services both in Cyprus and in Europe.

Along with with Keve, two of its member companies operating in the field of telecommunications services also took part in the meeting.

The announcement said that the two companies further “enhanced the discussion with their experience and proposals“.

European business leaders are in Nicosia today and tomorrow for BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents (CoPres), hosted by the employers and industrialists federation (Oev), as Cyprus prepares for its EU Council Presidency in 2026.

The presidents of the European employers’ organisations will meet President Nikos Christodoulides this evening at the Presidential Palace, before attending an official dinner in his presence.

Their visit brings together 42 employer federations from 36 countries, marking one of the most high-level business gatherings held in Cyprus in recent years.

The CoPres summit continues on Friday at the Hilton Nicosia, where Christodoulides and European fisheries commissioner Costas Kadis are expected to join the discussions.

Aviation training ties between Cyprus and the UAE are set to deepen after Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise FZ-LLC (IAE), owner of Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA Global), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MA Group, operator of Cyprus Airways Flying Academy (CAFA).

The agreement was concluded at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the start of a closer partnership between the two organisations.

According to the announcement, the agreement sets up a strategic partnership at board level, supported by a reciprocal share exchange between the two groups.

The Human Resources Development Authority’s (Anad) budget and medium-term fiscal framework for 2026–2028 were submitted to parliament, setting out higher spending plans aimed at upgrading skills, strengthening productivity and improving the quality of Cyprus’ training systems.

The 2026 budget projects revenues of €64.5 million, slightly up from €63.5 million this year, while expenditure is set to rise to €77.6 million, compared with €73 million in the 2025 budget.

Spending includes €12.3m in current costs, €65.1m in development expenditure and €200,000 for contingencies.

The resulting €13.1m deficit will be covered by accumulated surpluses, which are expected to stand at €113.5m at the start of 2026.

Moreover, funding for human resources development is budgeted at €62.8m, up from €59.8m this year, reflecting the authority’s continued focus on training, labour-market integration and lifelong learning.

Kinisis Ventures Fund II (KVF II) announced this week that it has invested €400,000 in Smartline, the Netherlands-based company behind EQQU, a screenless smart bracelet designed as minimalist jewellery but equipped with advanced biometric sensors.

The deal brings Smartline’s total funding to €1.5 million, joining earlier backing from Hoxton Ventures and Concept Ventures in the United Kingdom.

The company is shifting from product development to go-to-market execution.

EQQU, which has drawn more than 7,000 high-intent signups, positions itself as a premium wearable that blends with mechanical watches and high-end jewellery while offering continuous monitoring of heart health, sleep, stress and daily activity.

SOFTSWISS has marked its third consecutive year of supporting the global Movember campaign, reaffirming its commitment to promoting men’s health through awareness, conversation, and community engagement.

The iGaming software provider is once again taking part in the international initiative, which seeks to highlight major men’s health challenges, including prostate and testicular cancer, while also encouraging open dialogue around mental wellbeing.

The company’s renewed participation reflects its aim to create more opportunities for men to discuss their health, access screenings, and recognise the importance of early intervention.

Movember’s theme this year is Unmask the Mo-ment. Reveal what’s real, a slogan designed to celebrate individuality and foster authentic connections. The wordplay Mo-Ment echoes the campaign’s name and pays homage to its well-known symbol, the moustache.