The informal economy is flourishing in Occupied Famagusta

Deryneia roadblock Crossing Roadblocks, Occupied, Nea Famagusta

At least two insurance companies that issue insurance for driving vehicles in the occupied territories, dozens of taxis and minibuses that transport hundreds of tourists daily from Ayia Napa and Protaras to the occupied territories, as well as a dental agent in Turkey and the occupied territories operate in the free Famagusta.

About eight months after the operation of the Deryneia controlled roadblock, commercial and economic operators in the area now state that facilitating access to the occupied province of Famagusta, compared to what used to be done through Strovilia, has undoubtedly encouraged the development of a completely of the occupied.

According to data from competent bodies, in the context of the research of "Phileleftheros", with the arrival of spring there is a gradual significant increase in the number of vehicles / people entering the occupied areas, through the Deryneia roadblock, which in recent days is around a thousand daily . The main volume of vehicles and people entering the occupied areas through the Deryneia roadblock are Greek Cypriot tourists or foreigners who live or reside permanently in free Famagusta.

Next to the reason for the visit to see the enclosed city of Famagusta or their occupied village or Apostolos Andreas is now established in free Famagusta that the traffic in the occupied city and half of the province concerns other reasons. As e.g. the cheap shopping in the Turkish market of Varosia every Thursday. Where they buy from vegetables, to halloumi, yogurt, milk chips, pastries, etc.

Also, on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, there is now a steady clientele of Greek women of all ages, going to occupied Famagusta for hairdressers, beauticians, manicures and pedicures, services offered up to 60% cheaper than the free areas .

And close to these reasons, visits have been added, on a more systematic basis, by C / C professionals who provide materials for their work, at much lower prices than in the free areas.

Another category of regular visitors to the occupied areas through the Deryneia roadblock, mainly, and Strovilia, secondarily, are the foreign permanent residents of Dhekelia and other Kokkinochoria. In addition to shopping, foreigners, mostly British nationals, travel to occupied Famagusta, almost daily, for dinner and food.

Finally, regarding this aspect of the issue, it is worth mentioning that some Greek businessmen of tourism or in other sectors buy traditional furniture or other items allowed by the Green Line Regulation, up to the allowed limit of € 260 per visit. However, they can go to the occupied areas with one or even two of their friends, buying in separate receipts for € 260 each and transporting the goods in one vehicle, with the obvious conclusion that in fact the real buyer is one.

Medical Services and Fuels

Among the reasons for the frequent visit to the occupied areas through the Deryneia roadblock by Greek Cypriots and foreign nationals living in free Famagusta is the provision of dental services and other medical services in general, as well as medicines. Also, professional drivers, mainly taxi drivers, continue to visit occupied Famagusta for cheaper fuel.

Tourist plague in Famagusta

Larger taxis or even minibuses hire professional Greek drivers to transport as many tourists as possible to the occupied city and province of Famagusta. The long excursion includes lunch, tour and transfer to specific T / C stores with which there is a preliminary agreement with a profit rate, for cheaper shopping than in Ayia Napa and Protaras.

In this rising open wound for the tourism of free Famagusta participate with minibuses and T / C drivers, who come and go in Ayia Napa and Protaras, mainly through Deryneia and less through Strovilia and Pergamon.

The specific services, as depicted in the photos of "F", are advertised this year as well as the previous few years, next to destinations such as Petra tou Romiou, Limassol and Paphos, as if they are not occupied and without them of course advertising to report this fact.

Source: Philenews/Pambos Vasilas