In an interview with InBusinessNews, he also assures that the Chamber will continue to have a role and a voice in developments concerning business in Cyprus and to provide support and guidance to its members to the best of its ability, while it will continue to support the just demands of the residents of the province and the local authorities and promote their well-intentioned interests.

It further highlights the multiple and multi-dimensional challenges facing Cypriot business, with particular reference to the impact on the province’s tourism industry as a result of developments in the Middle East, as well as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

At the same time and although, as he states, it has clearly improved and tourist arrivals have approached the levels of 2019, he nevertheless indicates that “we should not be complacent, as we live in an unstable geopolitical environment, while at the same time we should recognize that there are many still can be done to improve the situation, such as strengthening tourism businesses with government schemes, improving airport connectivity, redefining the procedures for employment of third-country nationals and the planning of a revitalization plan for the areas affected by the war in Ukraine”.

Cyprus business, especially in recent years, is facing multiple and multidimensional challenges, as a result of various external factors and events that inevitably affect our country. As far as businesses in the free province of Famagusta are concerned, what would you say are the main challenges/problems they are currently facing?

It is a fact that in recent years a number of external factors and events have created an environment of serious challenges for the operation and activity of businesses in Cyprus.

Of course, the nature of entrepreneurship is multidimensional and includes a multitude of activities that cannot be considered only under one light.

However, it is safe to say that accuracy, inflation and generally rising price costs have created several problems that touch the whole range of businesses across the country.

As far as Famagusta province is concerned, certainly the major problems include the lack of human resources and the need to employ staff from third countries, which is mainly faced by the industrial and tourism sector, the increase in the price of raw materials which negatively affects the construction sector and land development entrepreneurs, while apart from the long-standing problem of seasonality and the need to extend the tourist season, tourism is constantly affected by the instability in the Middle East and the continuation of the economic crisis in the region.

All these problems, we as the Famagusta Chamber are called upon to address them through our continuous efforts to promote the well-meaning interests of the business community, having as a sacred duty to keep the flame unquenched for the return to our occupied city and at the same time the zeal and dedication for the development and progress of the free part of our Province.

We would like to dwell a little bit more on the impact of what you mentioned above on the tourism industry, given that your province relies to a large extent on tourism for its economic activity. Businesses in the sector in free Famagusta have been hit hard by the loss of the Russian market. What is the situation today and to what extent has this loss been made up for?

The province of Famagusta, due to its high dependence on tourism, is undoubtedly a unique case. As I have mentioned, the dramatic developments in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine have inevitably affected the region’s tourism business.

There are areas, such as the ‘Pernera’ area in Protaras, for example, which were totally dependent on the Russian and Ukrainian markets and which have been irreparably affected by the war and the resulting sanctions on Russia.

We acknowledge and welcome the diligent efforts of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism which resulted in a significant increase in tourist flows to Cyprus with a shift to other tourist markets such as Poland and France.

The picture has clearly improved and tourist arrivals have approached 2019 levels, however, we should not be complacent as we live in an unstable geopolitical environment, while we should recognize that there is much more that can be done to improve the situation, such as strengthening tourism businesses with government plans, improving airport connectivity, redefining procedures for employing third country nationals and designing a plan to revitalize the areas affected by the war in Ukraine.

The state should correct the distortions

We see other cities and provinces, such as Larnaca for example, recently attracting strong foreign investment interest and are on a growth trajectory. The free Famagusta, with the exception of the Ayia Napa marina and the Paralimni marina under construction, does not seem to many to be on a similar trajectory in terms of major investments, apart of course from the tourism sector. How much do you agree with this reading of things and what needs to be done to make the free Famagusta an attractive investment destination?

Indeed, it has been observed that in terms of attracting investment, free Famagusta lags behind other provinces in Cyprus. This was, of course, due to some extent to the absence for years of a local plan for the three large municipalities of Paralimnios, Ayia Napa and Deryneia.

This year, with the publication of the Paralimnii-Agias Napa-Derynia Local Plan after years of delays, we hope that the situation will be reversed and that large developments will be given the opportunity to set up in our province.

It should be noted here that the Local Plan is by no means perfect, as there are many points that need improvement, particularly in relation to the coastal frontage of the area.

At the same time, the state must correct the distortions that have been created over the years, giving urban planning incentives and cultivating the conditions for further development and attracting foreign investment in Famagusta province.

A few weeks ago you sent a letter to the President of the Republic, calling for the creation of a university in Famagusta province. We understand that this falls within the framework of your efforts to broaden the scope of development in the region. Apart from the education sector, what other sectors do you think could be strengthened and add even more value to the free Famagusta?

Clearly, the creation of a university institution is an important pillar of the joint effort of local authorities, organized groups and business entities to broaden the development field of the province.

We firmly believe that Famagusta province should detach itself from its absolute dependence on the “sun-sea” dipole and tourism as it is traditionally defined, seeking alternative – specific forms of employment and income for its residents.

In this context, in the strategic development plan that we presented in October 2023 at the Paneparchial Assembly of Municipalities and Communities of the free province of Famagusta in the presence of the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, we had proposed, among other things, the creation of projects and infrastructure to enhance sports tourism, investment in religious tourism with the utilization of the numerous important religious monuments of the region and the creation of a conference center and the exploitation of the remarkable sites – dormant during the winter season – of the free province of Famagusta.

At the same time, we reiterated our long-standing demand that the Famagusta Hospital, after its success as a coronavirus reference hospital, be transformed into the first university hospital in the country, which will lead to its staffing with remarkable medical and nursing staff, but also a place where our future medical scientists will be trained.

Do you feel wronged by the treatment you have been receiving over time from the state in terms of development projects promoted by the public or in public-private partnership? Is free Famagusta what we call the ‘poor relation’?

It is, in my opinion, absurd to claim that Famagusta province has not been wronged by the central state in recent years. After all, it is a common assumption that Famagusta province receives much less compared to its contribution to the GDP of our country.

The neglect and marginalisation of our region have created inequalities that – as I have pointed out – the state must correct as soon as possible.

In this respect, our Chamber plays an important role in demanding equal treatment for Famagusta province and its residents, so that they receive what they are entitled to from the state.

The merging with TEVEA

Last November saw the merger of the Famagusta Commercial Industrial Tourism Company (TEBEA) with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the members of TEBEA joining the Chamber. A few months later, how do you assess this joining of forces and how beneficial it is proving to be for the well-meaning interests of your region’s business community?

As mentioned above, the past year started with the best prospects, as the merger finally resolved a long-standing rivalry.

Leaving behind the old differences and oriented towards the common good and the need to rally everyone in the fight for the development and progress of the region, the businessmen unanimously supported this new effort.

This initiative gives the Chamber greater momentum and, above all, opens up new prospects for our province, as we claim and fight together.

Recently, you as the EBEA organised a business networking event and as announced, during the event important business opportunities emerged that can lead to new synergies and joint initiatives. Is there anything more you can share with us in relation to these synergies-initiatives?

Our Chamber’s priority is to strengthen business, which is why in 2024 we have proceeded to organise two business networking events for Chamber members, one in Limassol and one in Ayia Napa.

These events gave our member businesses the opportunity to meet and strengthen their relationships, exchange ideas and develop partnerships.

In any case, you are overwhelmed with great satisfaction and joy when you see your actions come to fruition, as we saw our members utilize the contacts they made for future business actions.

I must not fail to mention that the Famagusta Chamber after the refugee crisis has members scattered all over Cyprus and therefore, these events also gave the opportunity to many participants to meet with other Famagustians and share experiences and memories from our occupied city and province, creating a positive framework for reviving identity and belonging.

The prospects of Famagusta province

In conclusion, what are the prospects you foresee for the free province of Famagusta as a business centre and as an investment destination? And what message would you like to send, both to the business community of the region, but also to the local community at large?

The province of Famagusta is a blessed place that has nothing to envy from the rest of Cyprus. Despite the suffering it has gone through, with 85% of its territory under occupation and the rest of the province crippled, it is easy to see that the will and determination of the Ammochastian people to survive and develop overcomes every obstacle.

We are optimistic that our province, having now a unified business voice, with an upgraded local government system, with a new local plan and, most importantly, having managed to gain the attention of the central state which cannot continue to whistle indifferently, has all the specifications and potential to emerge as a business hub and a prominent investment destination.

For my part, I want to assure you that the Chamber will continue to have a role and a voice in developments concerning business in our country and to provide to the best of its ability support and guidance to our members as defined by its mission, while it will continue to support the just demands of the residents of the province and the local authorities and promote their well-intentioned interests.

At the same time, I can confidently promise you that it will continue with all the resources it has, the struggle for the liberation of our homeland and the much desired return to our occupied city and province.