President Nicos Anastasiades and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed Cyprus’ energy programme, security and defence, as well as other bilateral issues during their recent meeting on the side-lines of the fifth Southern EU Countries Summit.

Moody’s rating agency, stated that there was a decline by €5.6 billion in non-performing exposures (NPEs) stemming from the resolution of the co-operative bank (CCB) and the transfer of its NPEs to an asset management company. The rating agency stated that the decline is is a credit positive for the Cypriot banking system because it reduces asset quality risks and supports depositor confidence.

The establishment of Europe’s biggest casino resort is of great importance to Cyprus’ tourism product, deputy minister for tourism Savvas Perdios said.

The deputy ministry for shipping is ready to launch a study into the viability and cost of setting up a ferry line linking Cyprus with Greece, and by extension with Europe and is already in contact with the Greek ministry of shipping, the House Transport Committee heard recently.

Moody’s Investors Service recently said it had upgraded Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank long-term deposit ratings to B3 from Caa1, and their long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings (CRRs) to B1 from B2.

The Natural Gas Public Company (Defa) has – again – extended the deadline for the submission of bids for infrastructures relating to the import of liquefied natural gas for electricity production.

The Paphos Tourism Promotion Company and a number of Paphos hotels are participating in Dublin’s Holiday World Show that opens on Friday 25 January as they seek to capitalise on the launch of direct flights this summer.

The University of Cyprus (UCy) has remained at number 30 on the Emerging Economies University Rankings 2019 conducted by Times Higher Education, while the University of Technology (Tepak) fell five places this year to 42.

The fifth Southern EU countries (MED7) Summit which will convene on January 29 in Nicosia will discuss migration, Brexit, eurozone reform, Europe’s energy security, climate changes and the 2021-2027 EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

Global insurance sector growth is expected to remain weak, and companies must focus on technology and innovative initiatives that optimize costs, drive wider distribution and market reach and explore local niche market segments, to spur growth reveals EY Insurance Outlook 2019. The latest editions of EY insurance outlook series ‒ covering the three regions, Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe ‒ are the result of several think tank sessions of EY industrial and functional professionals as well as strategists and technologists.