Unemployed persons in Cyprus reached 44,550 in December 2015, marking a reduction of 7.0% compared with December 2014, figures released by Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) show.

Airport operator Hermes announced recently that passenger traffic in 2015 set a new record as 7.6 million passengers went through Larnaca and Paphos airports.

The Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA) has welcomed the introduction of a new fund vehicle that will bring more opportunities for professional and retail investors.

Revenue from tourism rose in October 3.6% to €225m compared to the respective month of 2015, the statistical service said recently.

Bailed-out Cyprus and its international lenders have reached an agreement regarding the future of semi-state Electricity Authority of Cyprus, it was reported recently.

The tourism industry is expected to receive some €50m in investments this year through a government scheme aimed at extending the island’s tourism season, Tourism and Energy minister George Lakkotrypis said recently.

Consumer prices dropped at a 1.2% annual rate in December 2015 after falling 2.1% the month before mainly on reduced energy prices, the statistical service said.

Land Registry data released recently show that in 2015 property sales in Cyprus followed an upward trend, recording an increase of 9% and of 13% in property sales to people from abroad compared with 2014.

While non-performing loans rose in October 2015 by another €100.6m, to €27.4bn, the value of restructured debt rose by €286.8m to €14.2bn, the Central Bank of Cyprus said.

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation has forecast that around 35,000 tourists from Lebanon will visit the island in 2016.