The Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism met today, Tuesday, 8 February 2022, and discussed the following issues:
1. Briefing of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism on the increase in transit fees for goods and its impact on trade and business activities.
(Doc. No. 23.07.010.001)
The Committee continued its discussion on the above matter, during which it was informed of the efforts being made to avoid the financial burden on businesses and consumers from the announced increases in transit fees at the Port of Limassol. The Committee decided to monitor the progress of the matter and to come back at the appropriate time.
2. The Companies (Amendment) Law of 2022.
(Bill proposed by Mr. Ilias Mirianthous on behalf of the Social Democrats Movement of the Hellenic Social Democratic Party, Mr. Stavros Papadouris on behalf of the Ecologists-Civic Co-operation Movement and Mr. Panikos Leonidou on behalf of the Democratic Party)
(File No. 23.02.063.009-2022)
The Committee commenced discussion of the above proposed legislation, the purpose of which is to amend the Companies Act to reduce from five hundred euros (€500) to one hundred and fifty euros (€150) the maximum total fine that may be imposed on a company that fails to deliver its annual report to the Registrar of Companies within the prescribed time limit. During the debate, the speakers on this topic highlighted the inability of small and medium-sized companies to pay the fines imposed due to the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive representatives present at the Commission meeting expressed reservations about the proposed regulation. The Commission decided to continue the discussion on this matter at its next meeting.
3. The role, responsibilities and actions of trade ambassadors, the evaluation of their effectiveness and the possible need for the deployment of trade ambassadors in other countries.
(Ex-officio examination on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism)
(Doc. No. 23.04.038.547-2021)
The Committee began its discussion of the matter by focusing on the possibility of utilizing permanent employees in duties beyond the original contract. The representatives of the Executive informed the members of the Commission about the activities of the trade centres operating in various countries abroad and the employment status of the employees in these centres. The Commission, having asked the officials present to prepare a study on the evaluation of the activities of the trade missions and the preparation of a plan for the modernisation of the operation of the trade centres maintained by the Republic abroad, decided to continue the discussion of the matter at an appropriate time.
4. The Protection of Competition Act of 2021.
(File No. 23.01.062.195-2021)
The Committee re-debated the above bill following a decision of the plenary session of the House to postpone its passage. In this connection, after reviewing the bill and consulting with respect to additional amendments submitted, it decided to refer the bill to the full House.
5. The Cyprus Precious Metals Marking Agency Budget Law of 2022
(Ref. No. 23.01.063.017-2022)
6. The Provision and Use of Payment Services and Access to Payment Systems (Amendment) Act, 2021
(Bill of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism)
(File No. 23.02.062.197-2021)
7. The Receipt and Collection of Taxes (Amendment) (No. 6) Act, 2021
(Bill of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism)
(No. Fak. 23.02.062.196-2021)
The Committee decided to refer the above draft laws, in relation to which no amendments were submitted, to the plenary session.
(NΓ/IK)
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