A plan by the deputy ministry of tourism to subsidise the creation of traditional handicraft and winemaking workshops for the public in remote and mountainous rural areas was approved on Tuesday by the Council of Minsters.

The number of unemployed persons in Cyprus rose by 25% in March 2021 compared with March 2020, with the labour market affected by the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic.

The cost for digital advertising in Cyprus showed an increase of 14% in 2020 compared to 2019, while the total advertising expenditure for 2020 is slightly reduced on an annual basis, according to a research carried out by Pulse Market Research, on behalf of the Cyprus Advertisers, entiled «Digital Adverstising Share in Cyprus Market”.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission met virtually with Cypriot authorities from March 8–29, 2021 to discuss recent economic developments and policy priorities on the island. In an interview with Kathimerini Cyprus, IMF mission chief for Cyprus, Anita Tuladhar, said the longer the period of recovery in tourism-related sectors, the higher the likelihood of permanent scarring in the economy. Tuladhar also noted the importance of state-sponsored programs to support the economy.

The Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus has issued a decision on 24 March 2021 revising the criteria for issuing Immigration Permits to third country nationals-applicants through a fast track procedure for qualifying investments made in Cyprus.

Cyprus will soon receive 60,000 vaccine doses which should enable those aged 57 and 58 to book vaccine appointments from Friday or Saturday, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Monday.

The government on Monday presented its supplementary budget of €250 million to be spent on dealing with the coronavirus situation, including support to businesses and the healthcare sector.

Cyprus Economy and Competitiveness Council (Ecompet) proposed a long-term strategy for a sustainable economic growth envisaging to turn Cyprus as “Europe’s Sustainable Busines and Trading Hub,” and to secure sustainable long-term growth through widening its productive base.

To strengthen Cyprus’ science and business community, the Research & Innovation Foundation (RIF) has launched a new €15 million funding programme to improve poor performance in this sector.

The health ministry’s epidemiological unit issued an updated risk-based classification of countries on Monday, with changes to come into effect on April 8.