By Lefteris Souttos
We forgive you for becoming refugees, expatriates,… and we expect you to understand that the time has come to stop aerologies and empty words.
We who live in the Province of Famagusta ask you for seriousness, commitment, and implementation of your commitments. We do not want any more promises or big words. We want you here, with us, to fight next to us, as we fight every day. We do not want you to see us from afar and feel sorry for us. We want you here, near us, and yes, we will make you feel proud.
I appeal to all refugees and expatriates, who have lived far from their homeland since 1974, but also to those of my generation who were born, raised, and far from their parents' birthplace. It is a pity that all the inhabitants of the Province of Kyrenia and Morphou emigrated. We sympathize with you and hope you understand that our generation is not to blame for this. It is a pity that the Province of Nicosia is partly in the same fate. "Unfortunately" the Province of Famagusta is not completely occupied. "Unfortunately" in our Province still live 46,452 people and fight to maintain their dignity and their magic.
The above table refers to the population of our place. We want to emphasize what is left of our Province. Today there are 4,426 unemployed, that is, almost 1 in 4 households has one unemployed. If someone takes the neighborhoods and knocks on the door, 15,771 households in the Province of Famagusta will find 1 unemployed person in every 4 houses. The feelings in these households are pessimism, misery, sadness, grief, and anxiety for tomorrow.
We do not ask for anything more than what every Cypriot citizen is entitled to, EQUAL TREATMENT in the strategic development plan of our Province. We want you to commit and implement a development plan of our Province that takes into account the following parameters:
1. Redefining our Identity. What are we after all and how do you recognize us? We are the Province of Famagusta, we are the Free Province of Famagusta, are we the decision of a Province? Give us back our identity.
2. Activation and Promotion as a Province in its entirety, inside and outside Cyprus, including the occupied municipalities and Communities of our Province. In this way we achieve savings of resources, and at the same time promotion of our Province in the whole entity of both the occupied part of our Province, and the free, what is left.
3. Upgrading and Improving the Centers of our Municipalities and Communities, so that each center highlights its cultural character. The Active Municipalities are the Municipality of Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia (Strovilia & Agios Nikolaos), and Sotiras (& Agia Thekla). The active communities are Liopetri, Frenaros, Avgorou (& Agios Kendeas Monastery), Achna (& Dasaki), and Acheritou (Agios Georgios & Vrysoules).
4. Design of New and Improvement of Existing Industrial and Craft Zones,
(a) Integrate infrastructure, road networks, and services to support these zones
(b) Informing, engaging, and explaining to affected landowners the necessary process required to successfully implement these zones
5. Repatriation of all Public Services concerning the Province of Famagusta, since the conditions of these services are the encouragement of entrepreneurship in our Province. The land area of our Province is good enough to house the Public Service Centers. The Services that must be directly housed in our Province and concern, among others, the Court of Famagusta, Town Planning, Land Registry, etc., can be housed on itineraries located between the centers of the aforementioned Municipalities and Communities, so that there is a link between the centers. of Municipalities and Communities
6. Staffing and Full Operation of EVEA in the Province of Famagusta. EVEA Famagusta is not currently active in Limassol. We are not 2nd class citizens. The role of EVEA is crucial and its role in our Province must be upgraded and for this an important share of responsibility lies with all entrepreneurs in Famagusta. We need to strengthen our communication, and our relationship with EVEA.
7. Definition of Development Projects and Development Plans Provisions in order to match the identity of our Province (such as thematic fishing shelters, marinas, sports centers, golf courses, casinos, conference centers, thematic exhibitions, etc.
8. With the completion of the design of the strategic plan, the Establishment of a Steering Committee is required, which will have as its main objective the continuous provision of seminars and lectures regarding the strategic plan, as its implementation requires coordination between the private and the Public Sector. Everyone should be committed to the whole, for the good of our Province.
9. Local Authorities will be responsible for coordinating the actions required so that
(a) give priority to projects and the manner of their execution
(b) proceed with the necessary procedures for the projects to mature
(c) to proceed with the necessary collaborations with the Public Bodies
(d) proceed with the issuance of the necessary permits and Approvals
10. The private sector will be responsible for meeting the conditions for the development of business activities depending on the style, identity, specifications, and data that will apply in each region.
11. Incentives and Partnerships with Low Cost Airlines in order to increase flights from various destinations throughout the year. This measure will help alleviate the Seasonality that plagues our Province
12. Creation of a cruise ship reception center in remote areas of the Province of Famagusta, such as e.g. near the river Liopetri, and CavoGreco. This measure will increase oneoffstop visitors in our province, which means that we will be able to offer them services and service during their short stay.
13. Enrichment of our tourism product and providing incentives in the upgrade of tourist beds, as well as in the upgrade of leisure centers, through a targeted strategy. E.g. in the northern part of Ayia Napa the area is no longer attractive to visitors. This area could be upgraded with the character of a popular neighborhood, with cafes, ouzo, etc, and improvement of those beds so that they refer to the concept of the popular neighborhood.
14. Development of Agrotourism, Creation of agritourism small hotel units in the surroundings with emphasis on the promotion and organization of tourist presentation programs of the countryside of our Province, in collaboration with the producers and the farmers
15. Transfer of AXIK from Nicosia to the Province of Famagusta, or Creation of a University in the Province of Famagusta specializing in Tourism, Gastronomy, Hospitality, Agriculture and Livestock, Fisheries, Environment and Physical Education. We remind you that since 1980 it has been operating at the occupied Famagusta University with more than 15,000 students. A university in the Province of Famagusta is now considered necessary.
These are our demands for our Province. We believe that with the above measures, we will be able to manage the problem of seasonality. Our economy will be revitalized and become more competitive. With the above measures, it will be easier to convince foreign investors to enter into business partnerships in our Province, since ReturnonInvestment will cover them on a year-round scale rather than on a seasonal scale. Finally, a strategic development plan of our Province will be the beginning of a modern development course as everyone will be committed to the implementation of this plan. Citizens will now have a clear way of evaluating who they will vote for, based on their ability to commit to implementing this strategic plan and not on hollow promises. These are the demands of our Province, gentlemen, and we expect to have your commitments soon.
Source: In Business.