At the assembly, five vice-chairmen were also elected – Othonas Theodoulou, Yiorgos Leptos, Yiorgos Demetriou, Dinos Mitsides and Yiorgos Mavroudis.

Addressing the assembly, President Nicos Anastasiades praised the “work [the Keve] does and its positive contribution to the progress our country is currently recording”.

Anastasiades listed the government’s economic achievements, highlighting its fiscal discipline.

“Recently, we tabled the last budget of this administration,” he said.

“It is the fourth consecutive balanced budget, which will follow a primary surplus of €665 million we are expecting this year.”

Anastasiades noted the recovery of the once-teetering banking sector, which managed to attract a total €1.4 billion in foreign investment following the 2013 low-point.

“There was no magic formula for success,” the president said.

“It took determination, hard work, careful planning and rigid implementation of well-planned policies.”

Anastasiades congratulated the departing chairman for his service.

“Phidias may be passing onthe baton today, but his contribution – as chairman, because I am certain he still has a lot to give – will remain widely recognised and indelible,” he said.

From the podium, the outgoing chief said the chamber’s key goal must be strengthening Cyprus’ position in the global competitiveness scale.

He said this effort should include boosting the state’s efficiency, expediting reforms, strengthening transparency, speeding up the dispensing of justice and decoupling the state from partisan politics.

The assembly was attended by party leaders and representatives, government ministers, mayors, foreign ambassadors, government officials and Keve members.

Source: Cyprus Mail