The key drivers for the upgrade are:

• The faster than expected economic recovery and the expectation of a continued more broad-based growth that extends beyond exports. Moreover, the economy has demonstrated resiliency to external risks, emanating from Greece (Caa3, stable) and Russia (Ba1, negative).

• After three years of contraction, real economic growth is expected to reach 1.2% in 2015 and 1.4% in 2016. Moreover, medium-term growth is expected to be more balanced, supported by a recovery in domestic demand helped by a stabilisation of the financial sector, improved competitiveness and the implementation of structural reforms.

• Consistent outperformance on fiscal targets have led to a quicker reversal in the public debt ratio. A combination of better than expected growth and also strong budget execution underscore fiscal outperformance.

• Moody’s expects fiscal discipline to continue post programme exit and through parliamentary elections next year. Under Moody’s baseline scenario, the government debt burden will now reach below 100% by next year and around 80% of GDP by 2020.

• Moreover, Moody’s expects the country to successfully exit the economic adjustment programme (financed by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) (Aa1 stable) and the IMF) by mid-2016, further supported by the build-up of significant liquidity buffers.

Source: InCyprus