Trade deficit was up by 12.6% in the first six months of 2017, data released by the Cyprus Statistical Service show.

Officials of the former Troika of Cyprus’ international creditors are in Cyprus for the third time since the island completed its adjustment programme 18 months ago as part of the post-programme surveillance, the press reported recently.

Following the successful and enjoyable Regattas organised in the past by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber in close cooperation with the St. Raphael Yacht Club, another fun sailing event for this year has been planned to take place on Saturday, October 7, the day before the opening of the ‘Maritime Cyprus 2017’ Conference.

IMF representatives have started consultations with the government of Cyprus, focusing on the reduction of excessive private and public debt and the management of non-performing loans.

The largest three-day Exhibition on Cyprus Products & services opens on Friday, Sep 22, at Trakasol Cultural Center in Limassol Marina.

The yields of Cyprus’ government bonds dropped dramatically in recent days pushing those of a bond maturing in more than eight years for the first time below the 2% mark on Sep 21, Bank of Cyprus said.

The unemployment rate dropped in the second quarter of 2017 to 10.6% from 13.1% in January to March and 12.1% in April to June last year, the statistical service said.

The general government’s deposits at the central bank rose in August 2017 by €222.8m to almost €1.4bn in a month, the Central Bank of Cyprus said.

The number of foreign property buyers rose 34% in August 2017 to 75 compared with the respective month of 2016, the Department of Lands and Surveys said.

In July 2017 compared with June 2017, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector increased by 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.