Cyprus announced on Thursday its commitment to contribute €5.77 million as a donor country, in the context of the remote meetings held on 14 and 15 December for the $93 billion replenishment package of the International Development Association (IDA), to help low-income countries respond to the COVID-19 crisis and build a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future.

Cyprus was one of the countries where the largest reduction in both primary as well as final energy consumption was recorded, according to data released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.

The percentage of people who made online purchases showed a significant increase, which reached 48% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 34.1% in the corresponding period last year, according to data by the Statistical Service of Cyprus.

Capital Intelligence Ratings (CI) has affirmed the long-term foreign currency rating (LT FCR) and short-term foreign currency (ST FCR) of Bank of Cyprus (BoC) at ‘BB-’ and ‘B’, respectively, affirming its ‘stable’ outlook, in line with other rating agencies.

The number of businesses in Cyprus rose for a fourth consecutive year in 2020, albeit the annual rise was contained to 2% due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The greatest culture project implemented by the Government, the new Cyprus Museum, is underway following an announcement on Wednesday for the tender of the construction contract.

Weekly tests, delayed reopening of schools and halving of the period for the recovery certificate are among measures announced on Tuesday afternoon by the health ministry to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Appraisal drilling has begun at the Glaucus-2 site in offshore block 10 of the island’s exclusive economic zone, the ministry of energy said Tuesday.

Cyprus' House of Representatives on Friday evening approved the state budget for 2022 with 30 votes in favour and 25 against. Finance Minister, Constantinos Petrides, said after the voting that the 2022 state budget is a budget of sustainable growth, green transition and social state, highlighting the fact that this is the first budget approved by the House that is really linked with reforms.

Romania is moved to amber zone in the new categorization of countries announced by Cyprus authorities on Monday. The new categorization is put into effect December 23.