The Agriculture Minister has discussed ways to further enhance cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt.

Following a record year for tourism arrivals in 2015 with numbers up by 8.9% to 2.7m, the industry is hoping to build on last year’s success but is cautious about being overconfident of another bumper year in 2016.

The double taxation avoidance treaty Cyprus signed with Iran in August 2015 may prove crucial in the island’s bid tokeep the edge in attracting business from the Islamic country after world powers agreed to lift sanctions that crippled its economy, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus said.

President Nicos Anastasiades has set three goals during his high-profile contacts at Davos where the World Economic Forum will be taking place this week, the government spokesman said recently.

Finance Minister Harris Georgiades has said that Cyprus is set to exit a three-year economic adjustment program under a €10 billion bailout memorandum at the end of March 2016.

The government will, by February 2016 have the shortlist of bids for the creation of a casino resort in Cyprus, MPs heard recently.

International forecasters have upgraded their forecasts for growth in Cyprus in 2016, according to the latest Bloomberg consensus survey.

The government recently signed a two-year extension with the ENI-KOGAS consortium for exploration of blocks 2, 3 and 9 within the island’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The cabinet has approved in principle the entry of BG Group (British Gas) in the consortium which has the concession on Block 12 of the island’s exclusive economic zone.

Low cost airline Ryanair announced low fares for its Larnaca to Brussels flight, which it launched only recently.