• More than 500 delegates attended the forum
• Lead sponsors were EY Cyprus and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners
• Keynote Address by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, and opening remarks from EY Cyprus Country Managing Partner, Stavros Pantzaris

The Forum wasorganized by Capital Link with the aim of raising awareness about Cyprus as an investment and business destination to a wider investor audience among the US investment, financial and business communities.  It presented the developments and reforms in the Cypriot economy and the Cypriot Government’s programme for the economy and investments. The Forum also highlighted investment and business opportunities in key areas such as banking and financial services, shipping and transportation, logistics, energy and tourism, and stressed the increasing importance of Cyprus as a regional maritime, logistics, energy and operational hub.

The event attracted the highest level of participation from both the government and the private sectors in Cyprus and the United States, with more than 500 delegates, distinguished speakers and executives attending it. It featured the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State, three key Cypriot Government Ministers, international companies and investors currently active in Cyprus, the Presidents of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners and of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency, the CEOs of major Cypriot banks and senior executives of Cypriot, US and international companies active in the region.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, delivered the keynote address at the official luncheon, while keynote remarks were also provided by Harris Georgiades, Minister of Finance, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry & Tourism, and Marios Demetriades, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works.  

EΥ, as lead sponsor of the Forum, was represented by Stavros Pantzaris, EY Cyprus Country Managing Partner, who delivered the introductory remarks of the Forum on the subject : “The Emergence of Cyprus As A Regional Business Hub“. In his opening speech, Mr Pantzaris stated:

“What I would like to share with you today is the success story that is Cyprus, and the remarkable economic turnaround our country achieved in just three years, beating all odds and exceeding the expectations of our European partners. Today, Cyprus is in fact one of the fastest growing economies within the European Union and we have not only maintained our comparative advantages for international business, but also sharpened our competitive edge. Rather than describing it as an emergence of Cyprus as a regional business hub, it would perhaps be more accurate to say that we are seeing a re-emergence and a strong come-back.”

Mr. Pantzaris was also the moderator of the Forum segment on Energy, moderating a panel discussion on the topic of “Cyprus as a Regional Energy Hub – Business & Investment Opportunities in Energy”, while Stelios Demetriou, EY Cyprus Partner and Head of Transaction Advisory Services, moderated the panel discussion on Banking & Financial Services. In his introduction, Mr. Demetriou spoke about the transformation and return of confidence into the banking system since the 2013 crisis. 

Within the context of the Capital Link Invest in Cyprus Forum, Mr. Pantzaris participated in a special ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange in honour of Cyprus.  The ceremony was organised by Mr. Polys Hajioannou, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Bulkers, INC., which is listed on NYSE (NYSE: SB).  Mr. Hadjiioannou with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, accompanied by the Ministers of the Cypriot Government and other officials, rang the “Closing Bell” on Tuesday March 21, 2017.  NYSE flew the Cypriot flag together with the US and Safe Bulkers flags, on Wall Street and issued special commemorative medals for the occasion.