The privatisation of several state and semi-state organisations, including the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CyTA), is scheduled to take place in 2015, according to the Finance Ministry.

A Troika technical mission has begun contacts in Nicosia to review the implementation of Cyprus’ bailout adjustment programme.

Looking ahead to another busy summer, British Airways has announced its ‘Summer 2015’ flight schedule from London Heathrow Terminal 5 to Larnaca, with an increase in the number of flights from 7 to 13 per week.

Consensus has been reached between the government and political parties regarding the issue with French energy company TOTAL.

An Egyptian businessman, Naguib Sawiris, will invest some €220 million in the construction of the marina in Ayia Napa, it emerged recently.

The government may still have a small window to get oil major Total not to call off a search for oil and gas, after the company let it be known it had identified no drilling targets in its two offshore concessions.

The Chairman of the Egyptian Exchange, Mohamed Omran, recently visited the Cyprus Stock Exchange with a view to discuss ways to further enhance existing cooperation between the two Exchanges.

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines will launch a new route from Larnaca to London Heathrow in March 2015.

Hotel operator and villa constructor Claridge Public Limited said it accepted a bid by K.A. Olympic Lagoon Resort Ltd to buy Amathus Beach Hotel Paphos plus two apartments at Apollo Heights for a total of €35 million.

Cyprus-based investment firms lost some €42.5 million after the Swiss National Bank decided recently to scrap the minimum exchange rate with the euro, but the majority remained unaffected.