France’s Total will extend an offshore natural gas exploration programme in Cyprus after coming up empty in prior surveys.

The recovery of economic activity in Cyprus is forecast, according to the Economic Research Centre of the University of Cyprus, with real GDP growth for 2015 revised upwards from 1.1% in August to 1.3%.

Ten foreign investment companies have been cleared to enter Cypriot markets while eight more are being considered, including a company with Turkish interests that wants to start a hedge fund on the island.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works has launched talks with the ten consortia that have expressed interest in investing in Limassol port’s commercial operations.

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Bank of Cyprus mortgage covered bonds to `B` from `B-`.

Bank of Cyprus has been named the best private bank on the island by international magazine Global Banking and Finance Review.

Bilateral relations between Cyprus and China, and particularly economic cooperation will be the focus of an upcoming working visit Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will pay to China.

A head-to-head comparison of Cyprus and Portugal as options for people wanting to own a second home found that Portugal fares better in cost of living, ease of access, and number of blue-flag beaches, while Cyprus wins on climate, seawater temperature, and citizenship-by-investment rules.

The European Commission said that Cyprus’ success in meeting specific targets set out in its adjustment programme may face a number of internal and exogenous risks.

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) announced it would be disbursing €500mln to Cyprus following a positive assessment of the seventh review of the island’s macroeconomic adjustment programme