Privatising the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) and continuing the government’s fiscal policy are top of the new Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides’ to do list.

The Agriculture Ministry is preparing an ambitious scheme to increase the production of goats and sheep milk by genetically enhancing livestock to meet a spike in demand for Cyprus’ squeaky cheese.

Nicosia reaffirmed its commitment to projects which will end Cyprus’ energy isolation and increase the island’s security of supply by connecting it to the rest of the European Union.

Cyprus recorded annual deflation of 0.5% in November 2019, while for the first 11 months of the year inflation of 0.2% was recorded.

As construction on the new Metropolis Mall in Larnaca, near the general hospital, is moving ahead at a rapid pace, retailers are moving in to grab the best store locations in the first shopping mall for the wider region.

New Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides warned against complacency on Friday, as the effort to bolster the Cypriot economy has not finished yet and more reforms were needed.

The House plenum amended the constitution on Friday restricting the terms in office of the president to two and reducing the age limit for deputies’ candidacies to 21.

Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis on Saturday attended the sinking of ‘Elpida’ boat off Larnaca, a move aimed at creating protected areas of artificial reefs around the island.

News that the Breast Centre of Cyprus joined Gesy last month has bolstered the government’s breast cancer screening procedures and should help ensure what was in the past sometimes a haphazard programme is more comprehensive.

There are plans for another large development project in Limassol.