The number of tourist arrivals in April 2016 rose 12% to 225,575 compared to the respective month of 2015 boosted by positive news from all major markets except Greece and Germany, the statistical service said.

The Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) has unveiled its new housing loans scheme, primarily targeted at young couples and providing long-term loans of up to €450,000.

The government is working to prepare a study on the restructuring of the commercial shipping sector in Cyprus, Transport Minister Marios Demetriades said recently.

Macau ‘gambling dragon’ Melco International is placing its bets on the Cyprus casino resort and has informed its shareholders that investment in the island is part of its ‘global expansion vision’.

The January-March 2016 trade deficit reached €730.6 million, an increase of €92.2 million or 14.4% compared to the same period in 2015.

The general government recorded a surplus of €147.2m, in the first quarter of 2016, as compared to a deficit of €19,0m in the corresponding period of the previous year, the Statistical Service said recently.

Finance Minister Harris Georgiades said no extra measures will be necessary to achieve a balanced budget for 2017, in which spending increases by €100m, to €6.15bn.

A significant increase of 12.5% was recorded in income from tourism during the months of January-February 2016, while the yearly increase in February came to 21.7%, according to recent data from the Statistical Service.

Vice President of the European Investment Bank Jonathan Taylor spoke about the economic recovery of Cyprus in a particularly positive light, and focused on the future prospects of the country as a centre of investment and business.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be holding its next annual meeting in Cyprus.