Thirty projects with a total cost of over €122 million for the free province of Famagusta for the improvement of road networks and urban regeneration, for the development of the economy, businesses and tourism, education, social care and culture were announced by the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, at the regional gathering held in Paralimni, as part of his tour of Municipalities and Communities of Cyprus.
Surrounded by members of the Council of Ministers and state officials, President Christodoulides presented the Government's plan for the further development of the region and the upgrading of the welfare of citizens.
President Christodoulides underlined the importance of the Famagusta District and its special contribution to the tourism industry, the primary sector, but also to the overall competitiveness of our economy.
At the heart of President Christodoulides' announcements were infrastructure projects, such as plans to improve and upgrade the road network, develop linear and urban parks, as well as further enrich the tourism infrastructure. Specific references were made to projects to upgrade sports centers and the acceleration of the completion of critical projects such as the Fishing Shelter on the Liopetri River, which has been put on track for implementation.
Specifically, the 30 projects, new and existing, to which President Christodoulides referred, with a total cost of €122 million, aim to upgrade the region and concern a wide range of sectors, as follows:
| Road Network Improvement and Urban Regeneration Projects | ||
| 1 | Improvement of the main road in Avgorou on Karyon Avenue | € 9 million |
| 2 | Construction of a Multi-Storey Parking Lot in Paralimni | €8 million |
| 3 | Improvement and Upgrading of Ayia Napa's beachfront | €3.6 million |
| 4 | Road improvement connecting Vrysoudion Street with Pinia Street | €4 million |
| 5 | Construction of a road from the Agios Panteleimonas roundabout to the church of Agia Varvara | €5 million |
| 6 | Regulatory plans for the 2nd phase of the improvements of Stadias Street, Giakoumi Papadopoulos Street and Korai Street in Paralimni | €14 million |
| 7 | 4th phase of the Protaras Coastal Promenade | €18 million |
| 8 | Redevelopment of the traditional core of Frenaros | €1.3 million |
| 9 | Redevelopment of Paralimni Square | €11.2 million |
| 10 | Creation of an Urban Multifunctional Park in Ayia Napa | €5 million |
| 11 | Creation of a Linear Park in Aheritou | € 1 million
|
| Economy / Business / Tourism | |||||
| 1 | Incentive Plan in Catering | € 700 thousand. | |||
| 2 | Plan for enrichment projects for local government authorities | € 300 thousand. | |||
| 5 | Creation of a Craft Area in Dasaki Achna | € 250 thousand. | |||
| Education | |||||
| 1 | Upgrading of building infrastructure of Paralimni High School | €5.5 million | |||
| 2 | Construction of a new Paralimni High School | €15 million | |||
| 3 | Operation of the School of Tourism Studies within the framework of the MIEEK | ||||
| Social Welfare | |||||
| 1 | Model Autism Center of Famagusta District | €4 million | |||
| 2 | Expansion and Upgrading of the nursery and children's activity center in Avgorou | ||||
| 3 | Additional projects in the Region's SKE | € 140 thousand. | |||
| 4 | Intensive Daily Addiction Treatment Program | €1.5 million | |||
| Culture | ||
| 1 | Transformation of the Ayia Napa Monastery into a Museum and creation of a Research Center, library and conference rooms | €2.3 million |
| 2 | Cultural and Conference Center Hall in the Municipality of Deryneia | €5 million |
| 3 | Open-air Amphitheater in Avgorou | €1.5 million |
| Sport | ||
| 1 | Upgrade:
– Sotiras Sports Center – Frenaros Sports Center – Liopetri Sports Center |
€2 million |
| 2 | Construction of a Public Sports Area in Achna | €2 million |
The President made special reference to the support of businesses to address energy costs and the lack of sufficient workforce in specific sectors, as a result of the full-time employment conditions prevailing in our country. In this context, he presented the measures that the Government has taken and is taking, such as energy storage plans, and the upcoming review of the strategy for the employment of foreigners. He also underlined that the tax transformation that will be presented in the coming days aims to strengthen the disposable income of households, support and strengthen the middle class and promote the competitiveness of Cypriot businesses.
Also important were the President's announcements in support of the creation of University branches in the Famagusta District in the context of the effort to upgrade higher education in the country, as well as the reference to policies to connect education with the labor market. At the same time, social actions were presented, including the creation of a Multipurpose Social Welfare Center/Model Autism Center, with the aim of improving the daily lives of vulnerable groups.
The President of the Republic called on local bodies, public officials and citizens to work closely to accelerate the implementation of development plans, underlining that government support will be continuous and targeted, with the ultimate goal of the continued progress and prosperity of the free Famagusta District and the entire Republic of Cyprus.
