Over 50,000 mariners are employed on board the ships operated by the member companies of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC).

A project of huge importance for the development of the innovation, research and technology – the Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) – was recently officially inaugurated by Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Marios Demetriades.

The Finance Ministry sold government bonds worth €31m in its monthly offer, the second highest in the programme since 2014, suggesting investors were unaffected by the move to lower interest rates on the retail bonds.

Nicosia is closely monitoring developments in Greece, and believes firmly that the country must stay in the Eurozone, the government spokesman said recently.

A deterioration of the economy in Greece and a potential Greek exit (Grexit) from the eurozone, could have a negative impact on Cyprus banks, despite the fact that the island’s lenders have little or no exposure to the Greek market, according to Moody’s.

Bank of Cyprus (BoC) could shift its stock market listing to the London Stock Exchange from Athens, according to a recent report by PEHub.

Growth in retail sales volumes accelerated to 3.1% year on year in April 2015, from 1.3% in March, according to the latest figures from the Statistical Service Cystat.

The mobile telephony and electricity grids in the south and north of the island will be linked by the end of July, as part of confidence-building measures (CBMs) agreed between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry head Fidias Pilides said recently.

Petrolina (Holdings) Public Ltd has completed the construction of petroleum storage depots, in preparation for its move from Larnaca to the new base in Vasiliko, shareholders heard at its annual general meeting (AGM) on 17 June 2015.

Non-performing loans in Cyprus' banks remained at the same high levels at the end of March 2015, according to the latest figures released by the Central Bank of Cyprus.