The vision of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Famagusta for the next day of "return" to Famagusta, was presented last night by the President of the Chamber George Mavroudis at its Annual General Meeting.
In his speech, Mr. Mavroudis said that “the goal of the Chamber of Famagusta is to rebuild a modern, functional and environmentally friendly city, which will retain its basic character, but will include new developments, will promote its rich cultural elements and will It is a pole of attraction, both for the old and the new inhabitants, who will choose Famagusta as a place of residence, work and business creation ”.
He added that "in all the critical periods of the negotiations on our national issue, our Chamber supported the President of the Republic in his effort for a comprehensive and well-meaning solution to the Cyprus problem. With specific initiatives we will continue to promote the Bicommunal Initiative for Famagusta, supporting the building of trust between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Famagusta ".
He also noted that "despite the impasse, EVEA will continue to support the need for immediate handover of Famagusta to its legal residents. We demand the implementation of the decisions of the Security Council for the return of the fenced part of Famagusta. We call on the Municipal Authorities of our city to continue intensively the internationalization of the issue for the return of Famagusta. The President of the Republic, in his last speech at the UN General Assembly, has reaffirmed the importance of the return of Famagusta ". He added that "EVEA supports these efforts and, allied with the city authorities, declares its presence in all matters in the planning and efforts to recover the city of Evagoras".
The President of EVEA made a special reference "to the cost of not resolving the Cyprus issue" and said that this creates great costs on the one hand, because it limits its development prospects and on the other hand because it perpetuates injustice against the displaced who for 43 years raise the burden and consequences of the Turkish occupation. "The state must assume its responsibilities and adopt measures for the truly equal distribution of the burdens of the Turkish invasion and occupation."
Regarding the situation of the Cypriot economy, Mr. Mavroudis said that “there is an improvement in almost all its indicators. However, all these positive developments do not allow for complacency and relaxation of efforts to further strengthen the economy and stimulate growth, because as is well known, the problems of high unemployment, non-performing loans and the large private debt of businesses and households remain.
At the same time, he appealed to "the banks to proceed with more dynamic decisions in the restructuring of non-performing loans, but also to show their anthropocentric character to those who really need to restructure their family loans".
Regarding the tourist record observed in the last two years in Cyprus, the President of EVEA said that "we must be very careful not to spoil the quality and competitiveness of our tourism product. EVEA supports the continuation of urban incentives in the tourism industry, but also the creation of a Ministry of Tourism which together with the new strategic planning will further develop the tourism sector.
The Minister of Health, George Pamporidis, read a greeting from the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, who due to his obligations could not attend the General Assembly of EVEA.
In his greeting he stated that “the Chambers of Commerce and Industry played a decisive role in the course of the economy and their contribution to the recovery of the economy after the crisis we faced was special. The're is no doubt". He noted that without the cooperation of the Chambers, it would be "extremely difficult" for Cyprus to emerge from the crisis, to enter the markets successfully, noting "a course of stable and real development, the highest recorded today in the European Union".
He referred to the bills that were submitted and voted by the Parliament and concern the amending law of the GESS and the law for the autonomy of the state hospitals. The General Health System Act incorporates best practices for promoting social solidarity, equal access and efficient use of resources. The GESS unites the public and the private sector, so that each beneficiary has the choice of its provider, whether it is his doctor or pharmacist "he said and noted that" in addition, the law determines the amount of contributions and the implementation schedule of GESS ”.
The greeting referred to the European Financing Programs, while as he said, “the Ministry of Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism continues to implement business support programs.
In the framework of the programming period 2014-2020, it is expected that grants amounting to 128 million euros will be granted, based on Grant Schemes co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds and the Republic of Cyprus ”.
Regarding the issue of tourism, he said that “the new National Strategy for tourism will be put to public consultation, with the aim of finalizing a long-term strategy for the management of the tourism sector of Cyprus, which will have a time horizon until 2030. At the same time, the government is promoting the adoption of a new regulatory framework for the operation of tourism enterprises in order to facilitate and simplify the licensing process and the operation of enterprises operating in the tourism sector. "
Mr. Pamporidis congratulated and warmly thanked EBF Famagusta because, as he explained, his offer to the homeland "is not limited to a Chamber, but extends, through well-thought-out proposals and initiatives, to the effort we make to create a secure homeland. , modern and effective in a European context ”.
At the same time, he assured that the aim is "the continuation of the Government's cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce of our country, for the search of innovative views and proposals, strengthening entrepreneurship in our country".
The General Assembly of EVEA was also addressed by the Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos, the President of the CCCI Pheidias Pileidis, while the guest speaker was Ioannis Matsis, Chief Executive Officer of the Hellenic Bank.
Source: KYPE