AKEL delegation headed by the General Secretary of the CoE of the Andros Kyprianou Party, held a meeting yesterday with POVEK Famagusta and representatives of small and medium enterprises of Ayia Napa. The AKEL delegation was also attended by AKEL Famagusta District Secretary Chrysanthos Zannettos, MPs Nikos Kettiros and Christakis Tziovanis and EU member AKEL Famagusta Giannakis Gavriil.
At the end of the meeting, the Secretary General of AKEL made the following statements:
"We have listened very carefully to the problems that exist in the wider area of Ayia Napa, Protaras, as expressed by the representatives of the various organizations. I must say that the tourist areas are facing particular problems and there needs to be some specific, greater government support in these areas. Especially the areas of Ayia Napa and Protaras - more of Ayia Napa - face more problems and peculiarities due to the fact that they do not have a big city near them so that the area can function all year round. It is 95% based on tourism and you realize that this thing creates additional problems and difficulties.
Our demand is that the Deputy Minister of Tourism come to the area, meet with the representatives of the organized groups, listen to the problems and try to provide solutions.
As far as we are concerned, next week we will organize in collaboration with the Provincial Organization of AKEL Famagusta a conference on the problems of Tourism with emphasis on the region to see how we shape some specific positions with which we will address the government with the demand to take measures to support the region. The government needs to understand that if businesses are not supported, they will be shut down.
We have heard those directly affected. The latest measures announced by the government are not going to be implemented, there is no interest. No one is going to take out loans to pay employees or rent. The government needs to understand that it should be much more generous when it comes to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and especially in terms of rent.
We will reiterate that our view is that there should be a division of rents so that the state takes over a part, a part is taken over by the owner and a part is taken over by the tenant. I am very afraid that the law that has been passed by the Parliament for this area has worked negatively. Therefore, all these issues should be considered with special care by the government. I repeat, the Undersecretary must come to the region and discuss the specialized issues of the region, so that we can provide solutions ".
Famagusta.News