IMF spokesman Gerry Rice recently praised Cyprus’ reform efforts, noting that they have started to pay off.

The Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) has completed its evaluation of the bids for supply of natural gas for domestic electricity generation.

The trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI) for June 2015 has revealed it is now cheaper to holiday in Cyprus than at this time last year.

Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd hasrepaid €500m of Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) and €260m of European Central Bank (ECB) funding to its international creditors, the bank said in a statement recently.

Ship management revenues increased to €421 million during the second half of 2014, according to a Ship Management Survey.

MeritKapital Ltd., a Limassol-based licensed investment firm, has received an investment service extension from CySEC for the provision of 'Underwriting of financial instruments' for both a firm and soft commitment capability.

DBRS, Inc. has confirmed the long-term foreign and local currency issuer ratings for the Republic of Cyprus at B (low).

A bill governing the operation of casinos in the Republic is expected to be put to the vote later this month and investors would be invited to express interest by August 2015, it emerged recently.

Electricity bills are to drop again, but the declining prices are not set to last as international crude oil prices are on the up, the Electricity Authority’s (EAC) spokeswoman Christina Papadopoulou announced recently.

Russian tourism is expected to drop in June 2015 despite it being considered the best month for attracting visitors from Russia, Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA) chairman Dinos Kakkouras said recently.