According to a recent report from Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA), Cyprus is fast becoming a location of choice for many promoters and fund managers, with the regulatory and government bodies actively promoting Cyprus as a center of excellence for the international fund and asset management industry.

Central banks unwinding quantitative easing, elevated debt levels, multi- century all-time lows in interest rates, economic problems in ‘developed’ economies, stretched asset prices, and Brexit are just some of the potential sources of the next financial crisis, according to the latest research from Deutsche Bank in September 2017.

Mr. Kevin Mudd, from KMG Capital Markets Ltd, says the European Commission’s effort to create a Capital Markets Union (CMU) within the EU must be backed and supported by all parties involved in the financial services sector. However, whilst many barriers have been removed by recent or forthcoming Regulation and Directives, (for instance, EMIR, CSDR and MiFID II), significant steps must still be taken for the creation of a truly unified capital markets industry.

French oil giant Total and Italy’s Eni plan to start drilling in a joint exploration block off Cyprus by the end of this year or early 2018, President Nicos Anastasiades told French daily Le Figaro.

Revenue from tourism rose in August 2017 by 8% to €423.6m compared with the respective month of 2016, which is the second highest ever amount in a month after July 2016, the statistical service said.

The number of registered unemployed dropped in October 2017, 22% compared to the respective month of 2016 to 26,436, the lowest since December 2010, the statistical service said.

The University of Cyprus said that it revised its economic growth rate forecast for this year to 3.6% from 3% in July, citing an improved labour market and leading indicators.

Cyprus-based airline Cobalt added three new routes to its winter schedule, and flights to London, Frankfurt and Moscow are now available.

Cyprus Airways recently announced six new destinations for the summer of 2018, from Larnaca Airport to Athens, Munich, Prague, Stuttgart, Zurich and Verona.

The number of property transactions rose in October 21% to 768 compared with the respective month of 2016, driven mainly by a strong showing in Nicosia and Paphos, the Department of Lands and Surveys said.