-
.
- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I address today's General Assembly of the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), primarily for the opportunity to congratulate and publicly thank its members for your initiatives and contribution to the development of Nicosia and our country in general.
In a difficult period, characterized by the major challenges of successive and ongoing crises, the Cypriot economy is showing great resilience and resistance, based precisely on a model where small and medium-sized enterprises are the driving force of growth, innovation, competitiveness and employment. Our ultimate goal is to enable Cyprus' business community to make the most of the opportunities arising from the green and digital transition.
An important tool in this direction are the Sponsorship Schemes implemented by the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, actively enhancing businesses' access to finance and improving their liquidity.
Specifically, our Ministry is implementing co-financed Grant Schemes of 245 million euros until 2027, which are granted as incentives for energy upgrading and enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, encouraging new entrepreneurship, digital upgrading of enterprises and the modernisation or creation of units engaged in the processing and/or marketing of agricultural products.
In the coming months, we will even proceed with the launch of two new schemes, the first of which will involve €17 million in grants for the energy upgrading and support of large enterprises. The second Project, the details of which we just presented on Monday at the launch of Industry Week 2023, has a budget of €14.4 million and concerns the promotion of the Circular Economy. Very briefly, through this Plan we expect to provide support to more than 40 SMEs to make investments that will allow them to move to a circular business model. The maximum amount of funding per enterprise will be EUR 400 000, with an aid intensity of up to 50% of the investment.
In parallel, another 120 million euros will be channelled to the market through the Energy Efficiency - Upgrade Homes Scheme, while green investments are also promoted through the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Saving (EE) Fund Grant Schemes, for which the total budget exceeds 80 million euros for the years 2022-2023. Eligible expenditure includes projects for roof insulation and installation of photovoltaic systems in residential buildings, replacement of solar water heating systems, charging of electric vehicles from renewable sources, as well as energy upgrading of local government buildings and infrastructure.
Dear friends,
As you know, the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry has a wide range of responsibilities, which, in addition to what I have just mentioned, relate to the rational use of our energy resources, the safeguarding of our country's energy supply, the effective protection of consumers and intellectual property, the promotion of Cyprus as an international business centre, etc.
We are also working to promote and implement projects for the modernization and upgrading of industrial areas and zones throughout Cyprus, with a total budget of approximately nine million euros for 2024. Among these is the project of fencing and installation of a controlled access system in the Strovolos Industrial Area, which will soon be launched and piloted through a Special Purpose Agreement signed with the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Our Ministry aims to extend the measure to all Government Industrial Areas.
In any case, it is our conviction that none of the above actions and activities of our Ministry would have any real benefit for the economy of the country if it did not contribute to further enhancing the extroversion of Cypriot enterprises and, by extension, the export of domestic products and services.
In any case, it is our conviction that none of the above actions and activities of our Ministry would have any real benefit for the economy of the country if it did not also contribute to further enhancing the extroversion of Cypriot enterprises and, by extension, the export of domestic products and services. Therefore, recognizing the need to further strengthen this effort, we are implementing a series of measures and promotional actions in cooperation with our 16 Trade Centres abroad, which include, for example, grants for participation in exhibitions in Cyprus and internationally. In addition, together with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry we organise targeted business missions focusing in recent years on countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
In the same context, our Ministry also operates a specialised Export helpdesk service, which helps Cypriot exporters to identify and contact potential importers of their products and services in the 44 countries covered by our Trade Centres.
Dear members of the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce,
Under the current difficult circumstances, it is certain that any government support could not have any substantial impact without the persistent and continuous efforts and initiatives of the business community. With common aspirations and goals, but especially through your hard work, we can record significant successes in recent years, such as a 14.5% increase in exports of domestic products in 2022 compared to the previous year. At the same time, exports of services increased by 17% during the same period.
In conclusion, I would like to thank, once again, the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its actions and activities as a vehicle for socio-economic development and prosperity of the country, assuring your members that the Government, and our Ministry in particular, will continue to be partners and helpers of your efforts in every possible way.
In conclusion, I would like to thank, once again, the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its actions and activities as a vehicle for socio-economic development and prosperity of the country, assuring your members that the Government, and our Ministry in particular, will continue to be partners and helpers of your efforts in every possible way.
Thank you for your attention and I wish you every success in the proceedings of your General Assembly.
(NZ/MS)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
