The RICS Cyprus Property Price Index has recorded a steady decline in the prices of residential houses and apartments across the island since its introduction in the last quarter of 2009.

The Industrial Turnover Index for April 2014 reached 77.1 units (base 2010=100), a decrease of 8.8% compared to April 2013.

Tourist arrivals rose 11% year-on-year in June 2014, reaching 342,221 compared with 308,219 last year, the island’s statistical service said recently.

The annual inflation rate in Cyprus recorded a slight increase in June 2014, as well as in Greece, but remains negative in the Eurozone, according to figures released from Eurostat.

There are already investors interested in Cyprus Airways, assures Communications Minister Marios Demetriades, the day after the government announced that the national carrier is up for sale.

A draft bill on property repossessions will be tabled at the House by the end of July 2014, provided that a balance can be found between the government and the international lenders.

The Council of Ministers approves the universal digitisation of public healthcare services and a roadmap for the implementation of the National Health Scheme (NHS), prompting calls of sidelining the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO), the body to implement the scheme.

Cyprus' trade deficit for the period of January – April 2014 reached €1.1 billion marking an increase of €0.1 billion compared with the corresponding period of 2013, figures released recently by Eurostat show.

A multinational search and rescue (SAR) day-time exercise has been conducted near the coast of Cyprus, with the participation of SAR units and personnel from Cyprus and the U.S., the second this year.

The Troika drew a line in the sand with regard to the introduction of legislation easing procedures for property foreclosure, elevating voting the bill into law to a precondition of its 5th progress review.