They are asking for incentives from the state to attract investment in Famagusta

"The free province has offered the most to our country in the last 49 years"

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The state must provide incentives to attract investments with the aim of developing the free province of Famagusta, the President of the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) Augustinos Papathoma told KYPE.

In his statements, Mr. Papathoma said that "this year we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of EBEA and our goal is to promote the well-intentioned interests of the business community, the development of the free province of Famagusta and the fight for return to the occupied land. The Chamber has a very important role to play in order to preserve the identity and origin of the displaced Famagusta residents," he said.

The state, he continued, "must provide incentives to create conditions for further development and investment attraction in Famagusta Province. The free province has offered the most to our country in the last 49 years and that is why it is important that the free province of Ammochosto develops at the same pace as the other provinces".

He also added that "among other things, urban planning incentives should be given, with the aim of creating special zones for the establishment of foreign and local businesses in our province, so that it does not rely almost exclusively on tourism. However, we look forward to the day of returning to the beloved city of Evagoras, so that the Chamber of Famagusta can contribute with all its strength to the work of reconstruction, progress and prosperity of its entire province and the country in general".

Answering a related question, Augustinos Papathoma said that "the Chamber developed intense activity and contributed significantly to the development of trade and industry in Famagusta and in general to the local economy. After the Turkish invasion, the EBEA is active away from its headquarters and the occupied Famagusta, developing a great and enviable activity, actively participating in all the actions of the KEBE and working to solve the various problems of its refugee and non-members and to promote development needs of the free province of Famagusta".

Asked about the actions taken by the Chamber of Famagusta to promote Cypriots abroad after the Turkish invasion, he replied that "it has made strong protests against the opening of the closed city of Famagusta, while in collaboration with the KEBE, it met with the [former] Special Representative of the G.G. of the United Nations Elizabeth Spehar who was asked to operate the Chamber's office located in the walled city, under the administration of the United Nations.

Furthermore, he continued, "a letter was sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and to the permanent representatives of the Security Council for Famagusta, while through its twinning with the EBE Piraeus, it promotes the issue in Greece as well. Also, the occupied Famagusta is supported by a resolution of a total of 59 Presidents of Greek Chambers, which was sent to the High Representative of the European Union for foreign policy matters, Josep Borrell."

In another question, Mr. Papathoma said that "the EBEA, with the aim of developing economic relations with other countries and expanding transactions in the fields of trade, industry and services as well as cultivating cultural relations, concluded cooperation protocols, twinning Chambers of the Foreign. In particular, the Chamber is twinned with the Chamber of Commerce of Piraeus, the Chambers of Lesvos and Kastoria and the Chamber of Commerce of Taganrog of Russia".

Recently, Mr. Papathoma said, "the renewal of the Cooperation Protocol between TEPAK and the Chamber of Famagusta was signed. This cooperation covers areas such as the organization of joint scientific and educational events, cooperation in consulting services and studies, joint participation in research programs, placement of students in workplaces, the operation of the institution of the "Free University" for matters of entrepreneurship, economy, innovative investments , circular economy as well as the investigation for the implementation of a postgraduate program in the Free Province until 2024".

Augustinos Papathoma also mentioned that "the EBE Famagusta will hold an event on Thursday, June 1st in Ayia Napa, to celebrate its 70 years of activity and contribution to the business and economic activities of Cyprus. The President of the House of Representatives, Annita Dimitriou, placed the event under her auspices, while the event will be attended by Ministers and Deputy Ministers," he said.

Through the 70 years of EBEA's course, it continued "of which 48 in the refugee, it contributed substantially to the promotion of the interests of the business community and to the preservation of the identity of the displaced Famagusta people".

Source: KYPE