The government’s policy priorities remain the same despite the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides said at the 7th International Funds Summit on Monday.

The biggest challenges in the country’s road to digitisation are the lack of talent and professionals and mentality, Innovation and Digitisation deputy minister Kyriacos Kokkinos told MPs.

Cyprus has managed to fully vaccinate 66.2% of its population against Covid-19, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas told parliament on Monday.

The junior shipping ministry plans to spend 17% more next year on digital transformation and scholarships for students who seek a maritime sector career.

Cyprus, among 100 countries, pledged to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by the end of the decade, underpinned by $19 billion in public and private funds to protect and restore forests.

Nicosia continues to drive the real estate market’s recovery, with total property sales in the capital for the first ten months exceeding those recorded in pre-coronavirus 2019.

In a speech to world leaders at COP26, President Anastasiades said that Cyprus seeks to strengthen regional cooperation through coordinated synergies and exchange of best practices, given that the Mediterranean and the Middle East are the focus of global climate change.

The Government presented the new strategy for attracting skilled workforce and companies in Cyprus on Friday 15 October 2021. This new strategy is mainly focused on high technology, shipping, innovation, and research and development. The new strategy includes a series of incentives concerning residency, taxation, employment and simplification and digitization of the current procedures. The scheme will come into force on the 1st of January 2022.

Health Ministry budget for 2022 is increased by €24 million compared to 2021 which amounts to 14.8% of the state budget, Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas has said.

October has been the best month so far this year as regards passenger traffic, Hermes Airports said on Monday.