House prices in Cyprus continued their upward trend in the second quarter of 2020, recording a quarterly increase of 0.9%, compared to an increase of 0.4% in the year’s first quarter.

The cost of electricity is expected to be reduced in 2022, as the market opens to competition and the project to bring natural gas is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Energy Minister Natasa Pilides said on Tuesday.

Foreign investors’ interest in Cyprus remains robust despite the scrapping of the Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programme, MPs were assured on Tuesday.

Cyprus’ state budget 2021 is not affected by the recent surge of coronavirus cases which has led to a local lockdown of Limassol and Paphos, triggering more financial support for employees and businesses.

A total of four traditional Cypriot products, Zivania, Ouzo, Commandaria wine and Loukoumi Geroskipou – a type of Cypriot delight – have all been included in a list of EU protected geographic indications (PGIs) that will be recognised by China under a new agreement.

Cyprus’ trade deficit for the period of January – August 2020 declined by an annual 11.5%, with trade affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

In an effort to boost sales, retailers hit by coronavirus measures will prolong Black Friday discounts for a week while promoting online purchases.

Cyprus’ health ministry has put general practitioners in charge of monitoring their patients if they tested positive for Covid-19 after 20 November.

The State Health Services Organization (OKYpY) noted that so far 170 nurses have been asked to sign contracts. This was said in reply to today’s warning by the Nurses’ Pancyprian Trade Union that they will take measures if more nurses are not hired.

The last week of November will be decisive, as its coronavirus figures will determine the next steps to be taken, both in terms of suggestions to be submitted by the government’s expert task force and government decisions.