- N. Pilidou: "Great progress of Cypriot industry and even greater prospects"
- The Mayors of Larnaca and Aradippou, Mr. Evaggelidis, thanked the Minister for the great effort made in the last two years to achieve the relocation of the petroleum products facilities and to solve long-standing problems in the industrial areas of the city
Issues related to the smooth operation of Larnaca's industrial areas were discussed today, January 23, 2023, the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry and the Mayors of Larnaca and Aradippou, in the presence of executives of the KEBE and OEB. Minister Natasha Pilidou, accompanied by the Director General of the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry Mr. Marios Panagidis, the Director of the Department of Industry and Technology Mr. Christos Fotiades and officials, also visited industries located in the industrial areas of Larnaca and Aradippou.
During the meeting with the Mayor of Larnaca, Mr. Andreas Vyra, an initial assessment was made regarding the project for the relocation of the petroleum products facilities, which has been completed for the most part, opening up new development prospects for the city. Mr. Vyras congratulated the Minister and her team for the important work carried out over the last two years in relation to the long-standing issue of the relocation of liquid fuels, asphalt and LPG stocks and stressed the need to take immediate action to expedite the last remaining works in order to proceed with the environmental rehabilitation of the area. For her part, Ms. Pilidou noted that the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (MoETI) is relieved to close the chapter on the relocation of petroleum products facilities and stressed that solutions to the few remaining outstanding issues are already being promoted, and are being promoted at an intensive pace and with determination. The meeting was also attended by the President of the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Stavros Stavrou, who expressed his satisfaction for the close cooperation between the competent authorities and businesses, important for solving problems and promoting projects and policies that strengthen the business environment for the benefit of the economy and society of the city.
The Mayor of Aradippou Mr. Evangelos Evaggelidis expressed his thanks to Mrs. Pileidou for the good cooperation they have had in recent years, through which, as he noted, many problems in the industrial area located within the boundaries of the Municipality have been solved. The Minister said that the great importance and impetus given to the industrial sector in recent years, with the mapping of challenges and the implementation of measures to address them, as well as direct cooperation with industries, has brought significant results. It is no coincidence, he noted, that the contribution of the industry sector to GDP has increased by almost 1%, reaching 8.7% in 2021 compared to 7.9% in 2019. "By continuing the good work done by the Government and our Ministry, we can reach even higher levels," she said, noting that the effort is focused on creating new infrastructure, staffing the sector with new blood, green and circular growth, and creating new innovative and competitive products.
Subsequently, the Minister visited the C&S Mycorex Mashroom Trading, Maxifoods and Logistico Park industries, where the challenges they face were discussed. Representatives of the industries stressed the urgent need to implement Virtual Net Billing to enable them to install large PV systems for self-consumption, with the aim of reducing production and operating costs and increasing their competitiveness. Ms. Pileidou informed that the Ministry is in the process of modernizing the Renewable Energy Producer Support Plan, and one of the most important recommendations of the Ministry is the implementation of Virtual Net Billing for commercial and industrial consumers. The YEEB is awaiting the views of the RAEC on its recommendations.
During the visits, information was also provided on the YEEB's Sponsorship Plans. Industries were invited to participate in the Sponsorship Scheme for energy upgrading of enterprises with a budget of €40 million, which will be in force until the end of March 2023. They were also informed that the Digital Upgrading Projects with a budget of €10 million, the Business Extroversion Promotion Project of €2.9 million and the Circular Economy Promotion Project of €13.3 million will be launched soon.
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