French investors are interested in energy, tourism and shipping, and their interest could extend to the casino and the Pentakomo technological park, Commerce Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis said recently.

The process of exporting goods to Cyprus is similar to that followed in other European countries. Cyprus applies EU customs procedures to all imported goods, and while these are relatively liberal, some products (for example certain foodstuffs) may still require import licenses or an official permission from the relevant authorities.

Already a popular tourist destination and one of Europe’s top spots for expats, Cyprus is launching new incentives and investment opportunities to open more avenues to welcome Chinese business.

Tax reforms and the introduction of a new concept of domicile are set to enhance Cyprus’ offering and attract more high-net-worth individuals and top-level professionals such as fund managers and investment analysts to relocate to Cyprus, says Kikis Treppides.

Interest ratesin the Cyprus banking system rose in August 2015 despite the decline in deposit rates.

Interest has recovered in the monthly issue of 6-year retail bonds, the government’s alternative financing method after the economy crashed two years ago, with €28.4 mln sold in the October 2015 series.

As President Nicos Anastasiades addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on the Cyprus issue, the focus of numerous top-level meetings the president and his delegation were holding on the sidelines were energy-related.

US Secretary of State John Kerry sent a message ahead of the island’s Independence Day on October 1, saying Cyprus was a valued friend and partner of the United States.

The government has set an energy-savings target of 14.5% for the year 2020, a senior Energy Ministry official told MPs recently.

The government has welcomed the upgrade of Cyprus' long-term sovereign credit ratings to 'BB-' from 'B+' by the Standard and Poor's credit rating agency.