Dimitris Syllouris conveyed the full commitment of the House of Representatives to the further development of bilateral relations with the United Kingdom at all levels during a round table discussion with members of the London investment community.
The discussion was co-organized by the Commonwealth Business and Investment Council and the law firm Mischon de Reya, at the latter's offices in the center of the British capital.
Referring initially to Brexit, Dimitris Syllouris said that Cyprus respects the decision of the British people, but urged Britain to face the post-Brexit era not as an attempt to minimize any damage, but as an ideal opportunity for further deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations.
Afterwards, Mr. Syllouris briefly presented the comparative advantages that Cyprus provides to investors. As he said, the country acts as a gateway to other Commonwealth countries, the EU but also to the Middle East thanks to its strategic geographical location, offers a well-known and stable legal and fiscal framework and provides excellent quality services and telecommunications.
He noted that Cyprus is a large shipping center with strong potential, has democratic institutions that operate, talented and trained human resources, is a safe country, which also offers a high quality of life.
He made special reference to the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits in the Cypriot EEZ, which create a dynamic environment with the participation of major players in the global energy market, the possibility of further development of research and technological business activities and the prospect of multiple investments.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives did not fail to mention the "traditional" tourism investment sector, making special mention of the marinas and the casino that will be built.
He then turned his attention to the conditions of cooperation for the regional economic development and security promoted by Cyprus through tripartite international agreements.
Summarizing and giving the current picture of the investment environment in Cyprus, Mr. Syllouris said: "The deep recession and the financial crisis of 2013 are fortunately behind us since the country successfully completed and came out of the macroeconomic adjustment program agreed with them. EU institutions and the IMF. Authorities have managed to restore the credibility and viability of the financial and banking system, which is now considered much stronger and more resilient.
"The road to recovery was faster than anyone could have predicted, exceeding all expectations. "Cyprus is now one of the fastest growing economies in the EU with an annual growth rate of just under 3%."
"Against this background," continued the Speaker of Parliament, "as well as with strategic decisions and agreements to yield tangible results, it is my strong conviction that we must now work with even more important investors and insist on maintaining sound public finances and in a competitive tax system ".
Mr. Syllouris also referred to his initiative for parliamentary cooperation between smaller states in the Middle East region with a strong emphasis on economic diplomacy. He also noted the declaration of cooperation between the Speakers of the Parliaments of Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers was Lord Marland, President of the Commonwealth Business and Investment Council, who praised the entrepreneurial spirit and strong business activity that is developing in Cyprus. He pointed out, among other things, that this is a safe country that offers a favorable environment for investment.
He also expressed satisfaction with the intention of closer cooperation between Cyprus and the Commonwealth conveyed by Mr. Syllouris and expressed gratitude for the work done in this direction by High Commissioner Euripides Evryviadis and his team at the UNHCR in London.
The discussion that followed gave the opportunity to the representatives of the investment community who participated to ask a series of questions of general and special interest, which were answered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Melina Pyrgos on behalf of CIPA.
Source: Thanasis Gavos, RIK London
Source: RIK News