AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou visited free Famagusta to see up close the problems faced by both hoteliers and shopkeepers.
During the tour, he said that the pandemic had consequences with a decrease in tourism as well as a major blow to the viability and prospects of shopkeepers.
According to Mr. Stefanos Stefanou, the most important problem that exists is that the area has not been declared affected, while as he said, specific support is needed for the shopkeepers to survive.
Statement by the General Secretary AKEL Stefanou Stefanou during his tour of shops in the free area of Famagusta
Today we came on tour in the free area of Famagusta to see the problems faced by both hoteliers and shopkeepers.
Previously, we had a meeting with PASYXE Famagusta, we discussed with them the problems faced by tourism in the region. We exchanged views on the solution of the problems and on what should be done. The main problem is the seasonality of tourism that Cyprus is facing and we should face it. On this issue, AKEL has submitted specific proposals on how to deal with a really complex and difficult problem.
In relation to store owners I must say that The coronavirus with its consequences in the most serious reduction of tourism has also brought a big blow in relation to the viability and the perspective of the shopkeepers. I must also say that the shopkeepers are protesting because the Government has made various promises that have not actually been fulfilled. The most important problem is that the area has not been declared affected at the time there was such a promise from the government and all the data show that the area is indeed meeting all the standards to be affected. Specific support is needed for shopkeepers to survive and behind every store, behind every small business there are whole families waiting to survive.
We talk to the shopkeepers, we are during our tour in the shops. In the end we will prepare our memos, we will make our appearances again to the government and the competent services to promote the problems but at the same time to propose solutions that should be given quickly.
Presidency
We have commented on it yesterday and today. The script is partly normal, but the script does not correspond at least in terms of AKEL in relation to what is heard and do not correspond to reality in the sense that AKEL has not yet discussed in the bodies of the Party. When and if we discuss we will be able to say more things.