Capital Intelligence cited the island’s economic recovery and improved fiscal data, the satisfactory access to international markets demonstrated with the latest government bond issue in June, expectations that recent primary budget surpluses will lead to a reduction of government debt and the gradual improvement in the banking sector.

The rating company said that it expects the economy to expand by 2.4% this year, significantly lower than the 2.9% official forecast, compared to last year’s 2.8% growth and the 3.5% rate announced by the statistical service for each of the first two quarters this year.

“Capital Intelligence expects the economy to expand at a satisfactory rate of about 2.5% on average in 2018 to 2019,” the rating company said.

“Downside risks to the outlook appear to be receding with both the construction and banking sectors showing more solid signs of improvement. Foreign direct investment is also expected to pick up in the short to intermediate term given government initiatives to encourage international private investment in new casinos, hotels, marinas and renewable energy projects”.

“Despite the government’s commitment to post-financial assistance programme reforms, Capital Intelligence notes that there have been delays in enforcing certain new laws and in implementing specific politically-sensitive reforms, which may be partly attributable to the presidential elections next year,” it added.

“These measures include reforms to the public sector (including its size and wage bill), a new foreclosure framework, and privatisation. Despite the implementation risk, Capital Intelligence does not foresee a material weakening of budget performance or public debt dynamics”.

The rating company last upgraded Cyprus’ credit rating on March 6.

Source: Cyprus Mail