The great prospects of the free Province of Famagusta and the role that the Province can play in the development effort due to its agricultural and tourist activity, highlighted the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Nikos Kougialis, at an event held on Thursday at the City Hall.
According to an official announcement, the event for the "Start of implementation of new programs and development projects in the free Province of Famagusta" is part of a public information campaign on the ongoing projects and co-financed programs of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The aim of the Ministry, said Mr. Kougialis, is as “with the implementation of the new co-financed programs and the implementation of the development projects approved for the free Province of Famagusta to upgrade the living standards of the inhabitants, to create conditions conducive to the development of the region. and give new impetus to progress and prosperity. "
Presenting the ongoing projects, he referred to the announcements of the President of the Republic in the Summer of 2015, where projects with a total budget of € 500m were announced, of which € 210m, or 42%, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development undertook to implement. and Environment. Of this, an amount of € 58m, about one third, concerns projects that the Ministry of Agriculture will implement in the Free Province of Famagusta.
The presentation mainly concerned the start of the implementation of the Kokkinokremmos Water Project, with the aim of ensuring the uninterrupted water supply and water supply security, the full activation of the Rural Development Program 2014-2020, with the announcement of new invitations and the start of the project for management of solid municipal waste in coastal Municipalities.
Referring to the plans of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kougialis stated that the participation of all in the effort for effective implementation of the new programs and utilization of all available funds, is a condition for achieving the four-pronged goal we have set as a Ministry. That is, as he said, we invest in agriculture and the environment, we strengthen the competitiveness of companies, we create new jobs, we face timeless challenges.
Referring to the Rural Development Program 2014-2020 which is the pre-eminent development tool for strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and upgrading our countryside, the Minister stated that it is "a targeted program that serves the priorities of our Ministry" for rural development. . € 243m will be allocated through the Program. while it is expected that through the actions of the Program, 600 new jobs will be created (350 for young farmers), 170 companies will be supported and 1.800 agricultural units will be supported.
Mr. Kougialis made special reference to two very important measures of the program that were announced on May 9 and which concern Scheme 4.1 concerning "Investments that improve the overall performance and sustainability of farms" with a total budget for A '. announcement € 20m., which he characterized as the flagship of the RDP Measures, since the total investments in the agricultural sector will reach € 50m. (together with the private contribution).
Of these, he stated, the amount of € 7m. will be allocated to the sheep and goat sector, in the context of efforts to support and develop the industry. The second Measure 6.1 for "Support for the first establishment of young farmers" has a total budget for the first announcement of € 3,5m. and comes to meet the need to support our young people who want to be active in the agricultural sector.
Mr. Kougialis characterized the Water Project of Kokkinokremmos as a landmark project. This is a project with a total cost of € 17m whose implementation definitively solves the water supply problem of the Province of Famagusta, ensuring uninterrupted water supply and water security 24 hours until the Summer of 2017 and 48 hours until 2019 creating infrastructure for tourism in an area that It is called annually to serve thousands of tourists who visit it on an annual basis.
The Minister stated that in addition to the water supply of the areas of Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira, due to the interconnection of the pipeline with the existing Choirokoitia-Famagusta pipeline, the other communities of Kokkinohorion, namely Avgorouforio, Ormologorio, Ormolideia, also benefit.
Presenting the "Solid Municipal Waste Reduction Program on the coastal front", the Minister stated that this is essentially the "beginning for the adoption of a new era in dealing with the management of municipal solid waste". Through a rational and integrated management of municipal solid waste on the coastal front, significant benefits arise such as upgrading the tourism product, improving the quality of life of residents, developing environmental awareness and creating new jobs.
During his greeting, the Minister of Agriculture also referred to the signing of contracts for the LEADER program, which concerns local development, with public infrastructure projects in the countryside with a total budget of € 12m.
Closing his greeting, Mr. Kougialis noted that, within the next week, the amounts for the losses of 2011 and 2012, totaling € 1,4 million, will be paid, which mainly concern hail and frost damage to vegetables. , greenhouses, hay, bananas and potatoes.
The full speech of the Minister:
Greeting of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr. Nikos Kougialis at the event for the "Start of implementation of new programs and development projects in the free Province of Famagusta"
Paralimni 12/5/2016
Ladies and gentlemen,
When the commitments are implemented and the goals start to be realized, the citizen must be informed and take advantage of the opportunities that are created.
For this reason, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to today's event that aims to inform the residents of the Province of Famagusta about the new programs and development projects that have begun to be implemented. The Government pays special attention to the Province of Famagusta, a Province that we believe has great prospects and strengthens our development effort, due to its agricultural and tourist activity, a Province that was neglected for many years and needs the necessary infrastructure.
Your participation in our effort for effective implementation of the new programs and utilization of all available funds, is a prerequisite. Our goals are common and our actions must be in the same direction:
- To invest in agriculture and the environment
- To strengthen the competitiveness of companies
- To create new jobs
- To face timeless challenges
Our aim is with the implementation of the new co-financed programs and the implementation of the development projects approved for the free Province of Famagusta to:
- upgrade the living standards of the inhabitants
- create conditions that favor the development of the wider region
- give new momentum for progress and prosperity
We promote development, which can only be based on Sustainability, Environmental Protection and the cultivation of a culture of constantly addressing new challenges.
In taking office, this Government was aware of the difficulties and great challenges it had to face. After all, everyone is familiar with the difficult fiscal conditions under which the Government of Nikos Anastasiadis took over the governance of the country.
We managed to achieve stabilization, with the sacrifices of all citizens, and to support those who were in real need, and today we can talk about growth prospects and investment opportunities.
In the summer of 2015, President Anastasiadis announced projects with a total budget of € 500m, of which € 210m, or 42%, was undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. Of this, an amount of € 58m, about one third, concerns projects that the Ministry will implement in the Free Province of Famagusta.
For this reason and on occasion,
- the effective activation of the Rural Development Program 2014-2020, with the announcement of new invitations, which we hope for your active participation, as well as
- the launch of two very important projects for the region,
• first that of Kokkinokremmos, to ensure an uninterrupted water supply and
• secondly the project for the management of municipal solid waste in coastal municipalities,
I chose to start the information campaign, both for these projects, but also for the co-financed programs, from the Free Province of Famagusta.
Today's event and presentation of the programs and projects that will follow, proves that with hard work and proper planning we can produce a project that meets the expectations of the Citizens and gives perspective to the place and its people.
Here, let me mention what I have repeatedly noted. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has become a Ministry of Development and Production, which through its actions:
- It contributes substantially to the creation of conditions for growth and opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment in our country,
- Stands as a helper in the efforts of the rural world by solving timeless problems
- It saves resources to have them where and where they can really have a multiplier effect on the economy and the Citizen.
Dear friends and family,
The two Programs implemented by our Ministry, for Rural Development and Fisheries, as well as the projects that started to be implemented are based on the fourfold, which we seek to cultivate as an operational work culture for each of our planning and action:
- We invest in agriculture and the environment (people and our land)
- Strengthen business competitiveness (support existing and new small and medium enterprises)
- We create new jobs (mainly aimed at young people)
- We face timeless challenges (solving problems that were hidden under the carpet)
Rural Development Program 2014-2020
The Rural Development Program 2014-2020 is the pre-eminent development tool, through which the strengthening of the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and the upgrading of our Countryside is sought. The Free Province of Famagusta is a key rural area which I expect will benefit the most from the targeted actions of the program.
Today, when the socio-economic conditions are constantly changing, with the focus of our policies on the Farmer and the Environment, we are strengthening the path of Cyprus towards a sustainable development, aiming at the transition to a green economy. The new Rural Development Program is sufficiently targeted and serves the priorities of our Ministry, for the rural development and the general development orientation of the current government, while it is in complementarity and synergy with the other Investment and Structural Funds implemented by the Kyrgyz Republic.
An amount of € 243m will be allocated through the Program, of which € 132m. come from the European Union, while the remaining amount of € 111m. will be made available by the Republic of Cyprus as a National Participation.
It is expected that through the actions of the Program will:
- 600 new jobs created (350 for young farmers)
Support 170 companies and
- support 1.800 farms.
Our goal and effort, through the targeted Measures and actions, is every euro, from € 243m. to be multiplied, to significantly enhance, in the coming years, the rural economy of the place.
The new Rural Development Program has already been activated at a rate of 78%, with the announcements of measures and the start of implementation of projects with a total budget of € 189 million from € 243 million, while by the end of the year the remaining invitations will be announced.
On May 9, 2016, two very important measures of the program were announced, for which an extensive presentation will follow:
• Scheme 4.1, which is the flagship of the RDP Measures and concerns "Investments that improve the overall performance and viability of agricultural holdings" with a total budget for the first call of € 20m. and with total investments in the agricultural sector that will reach € 50m. (together with the private contribution). I would like to emphasize that out of the 20 million euros available, € 7m. will be allocated to the sheep and goat sector, in the context of efforts to support and develop the industry.
• Measure 6.1 for "Support for the first settlement of young farmers" with a total budget for the first call of € 3,5m, which comes to cover the need to support our young people who wish to be active in the agricultural sector.
Note that as of March 10, 2016, Scheme 4.2 "Investments related to the processing, marketing and development of agricultural products" has been announced with a total budget for the first announcement, € 10m, followed in the coming months by other development measures aimed at rural development and the preservation and promotion of the natural and cultural wealth of rural areas, through the implementation of infrastructure projects for the benefit of the rural population.
In addition, in the framework of the Rural Development Program, the Contracts were signed on May 4, 2016 between the 4 Local Action Groups and our Ministry for the LEADER program related to local development, with public infrastructure projects in the countryside with a total budget of € 12m. (of which € 3,2m have been allocated to the Development of Famagusta and Larnaca Provinces), thus marking the official start of the implementation of the Local Development Strategies. It is worth emphasizing that for the first time the Province of Famagusta participates in this program.
Fisheries Program
For the only financial file of a co-financed program that was open, that of the European Fisheries Fund, we managed to double the initial allocation of resources for Cyprus for the period 2014-2020, after interventions and negotiations, resulting in an increase in the EU contribution of € 20cm to € 40m. With a total budget of € 52,6 million (75% co-financed by the EU), it is expected to create 50 new jobs, maintain another 750 and support a total of 35 companies. In addition, 11 projects related to the construction and / or improvement of fisheries infrastructure for fisheries and aquaculture are expected to be implemented.
Indicatively I mention:
• the renovation of the fishing shelter of the Liopetri River
• the improvement works on the artificial reefs of Ayia Napa and Paralimni
• the announcement within the next month for the submission of proposals for the establishment of Local Action Groups and implementation of local development strategies with a budget of € 7m.
I would like to point out that with the measures and projects implemented, within the framework of our two co-financed programs, the basic development policy tools of our Ministry, the targeted planning of the Government for,
- local development,
Improving the living conditions of the rural world
Creation of new small and medium - sized enterprises, and
- many new jobs
Solid Municipal Waste Reduction Program for Coastal Hotel Units and Near Related Waste Mass Production Areas on the Coastal Front
Friends,
Famagusta, as I mentioned above, is undoubtedly one of the jewels that we must protect and promote as Cyprus in the effort we make to upgrade our tourism product and attract more visitors.
For this reason, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has selected the Free Province of Famagusta to start the implementation of the Solid Municipal Waste Reduction Program on the coastal front. A program that is essentially the beginning of the adoption of a new era in the treatment of municipal solid waste management.
Our goal is,
To invest in the environment
To promote sustainable development and
- to support local government
Through a rational and integrated management of municipal solid waste on the coastal front, by encouraging separate collection at source, achieving high quality recycling and diversion of organic and recyclable landfill waste, significant benefits will emerge such as:
- upgrading the tourism product,
- improving the quality of life of residents,
Development of environmental awareness, and
- creating new jobs
Solving Diachronic Problems - Water Project Kokkinokremmos
Friends,
We would be inconsistent and could not talk about perspective or plan through the actions and measures of the RDP to upgrade the agricultural sector and development of our countryside, if we did not proceed to solve the timeless problems that plague our country. And of course for one of the most serious problems, especially for the area of free Famagusta is the water.
Implementing the declared water policy of the Government, which includes, among other things, the complete decoupling of the water supply of large urban and tourist areas from rainfall, we proceed with the landmark project, the Water Project of Kokkinokremmos, cost € 17m. With the implementation of the first phase, until the Summer of 2017, an uninterrupted water supply is guaranteed and at the same time water safety of 24 hours, while until the end of 2019, with the completion of the second phase, water safety is ensured for 48 hours.
Apart from the water supply of the areas of Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira, due to the interconnection of the pipeline with the existing pipeline Choirokoitia-Famagusta, the other communities of Kokkinochoria, namely Ormideia, Avmotriou, Xylofario, F, also benefit. Also important is the value of the project that results from the possibility of supplying the city of Famagusta in case of solution of the Cyprus problem. With the construction of the project:
- We face timeless challenges
- We support sustainable local development
- We create infrastructure for tourism in an area that is called annually to serve thousands of tourists who visit it on an annual basis.
Dear friends and family,
Given the opportunity before closing, I would like to inform you that, within the next week, the amounts for the losses of 2011 and 2012 will be paid, totaling € 1,4m, which mainly concern hail losses. and frost in vegetables, greenhouses, hay, bananas and potatoes.
In closing, I would like to note that the above programs and projects are part of the broader planning of the Government and are implemented in complementarity and synergy with other projects announced by the President of the Republic, which are expected to make a decisive contribution to the development and improvement of the region. of quality of life.
For the Free Province of Famagusta, for which the Government attaches special importance, I would like to mention the following projects:
. The improvement of the main road in Avgorou
→ The Improvement of Pernera Avenue
→ The configuration of the coastal sidewalk (Gifasi) in Paralimni
. The regeneration of the coastal front of Ayia Napa
→ The Improvement works on Nisi Avenue
→ The renovation of the center of Paralimni which includes stone paving and undergrounding services
→ The restoration, promotion and promotion of the Medieval Monastery as well as the improvement of the accessibility to the center and the creation of a Multifunctional park in Ayia Napa
. The construction of a club for the elderly in Deryneia
→ The paving of roads in roads of the Municipality of Deryneia and the Community of Avgoros
Special mention should be made of two development projects that with their implementation are going to make a decisive contribution to improving the quality of services offered by the province of Free Famagusta. These are of course the Marina of Ayia Napa and the Marina of Paralimni.
Friends,
Through the presentation of the ongoing programs and projects for the Province of Famagusta, the perspective is evident,
→ the prospect of progress,
→ the prospect for growth,
→ the prospect of upgrading the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Thank you
SotiraNews / ΚΥΠΕ