Building permits issued in the first five months of this year in Cyprus recorded a drop compared with the same period of last year, data released by the Cyprus Statistical Service, on Tuesday show.

Bounced cheques in Cyprus recorded a sharp drop of 69.2% last month compared to June this year, according to latest data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus.

Cyprus’ developing epidemiological situation was discussed on Tuesday in an emergency teleconference meeting between the Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou and the government’s coronavirus advisory team, with participants agreeing to relax certain restrictions in Limassol.

On 10 August 2020, following extensive negotiations, Cyprus and Russia reached an agreement for the amendment of the Agreement for the avoidance of Double Taxation.

Total imports of goods from EU Member States and third countries to Cyprus amounted to €466.2 million in May 2020 as compared to €726.8 million in May 2019, recording a decrease of 35.9%.

Cyprus and Russia have just agreed on an amendment of the double taxation treaty between the two countries, according to Cypriot Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides, cutting short the two-day negotiation agenda initially scheduled.

The Republic of Cyprus’ investment-for-citizenship program proved to be the second most popular scheme of the sorts amid the global pandemic, with new citizenship applications during the first quarter of 2020 marking a 75% increase compared to the same period last year.

Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis said on Friday he expected a joint meeting to be arranged with competent European Commissioners, in order to reach a conclusion regarding the registration of halloumi.

Cyprus recorded a further decrease of €43 million or 0.5% in aggregate Non Performing Loans (NPLs) at the end of March 2020 compared with the end of December 2019.

The US on Thursday lifted its advisory against travelling abroad that was in force for nearly five months, but the US Centers for Disease Control still recommends against non-essential travel to more than 200 destinations, including Cyprus and Greece, due to the high coronavirus risk.