An Israeli delegation will be visiting the island shortly to discuss with their Cypriot counterparts the matter concerning the extension of the Aphrodite gas field into Israeli waters.

New tax measures will strengthen Cyprus’ international competitiveness as a location of choice for multinational companies focusing on the EMEA region, says EY Managing Partner Stavros Pantzaris.

According to JCC statistics the use of credit cards in October 2015 has increased both by locals as well as foreigners.

President Nicos Anastasiades will meet with banking representatives to tell them to concentrate on clawing back money from big debtors rather than small ones.

Economic activity in Cyprus has continued on a positive trend since early 2015, while the banking system continues to heal, a press release by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission (EC) and the European Central Bank (ECB) says.

An increase of 7% in the number of tourist arrivals was recorded in October 2015 compared to last year, while the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) estimates that the number of tourists for 2015 will be more than 2.6 million.

A tripartite meeting between Cyprus, Israel and Greece to be held in Nicosia towards the end of January 2016 will again focus on energy cooperation.

Greece’s Alpha Bank got shareholder approval recently for a plan to fill a capital hole identified in a European Central Bank health check in October 2015.

Piraeus Bank has received shareholder approval for a plan to fill a capital shortfall revealed in a European Central Bank health check in October 2015, expecting to close its order book on an offering of new shares.

President Nicos Anastasiades has appealed to Jordanian investors to boost bilateral trade and consider taking part in the privatisation process of the ports, electricity and telecoms, while encouraging entrepreneurs to set up a Cyprus base and take advantage of the growing energy sector.