“We believe that this re-registration is a significant development, not only because it corrects a serious mistake made by the Ministry, but because it will also ensure that our exports to the United Kingdom will continue to rise, regardless of Brexit developments.” Lakkotrypis said.

The Minister further added that Cyprus has managed to protect the community trademark for the Cypriot cheese “halloumi”, after applications for its cancellation, pointing out that the community trademark would safeguard Cyprus exports in the United Kingdom even after Brexit, as provided in the withdrawal treaty.

Lakkotrypis also referenced relevant data to show the increase in exports of the traditional Cyprus products abroad. Exports of halloumi in 2018 reached €195 million and for the ten months of 2019 there was a 12% increase in total exports, while for the United Kingdom exports of halloumi increased by 14% over the same period.

Additionally, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis highlighted the importance of proceeding with the registration of the halloumi trademark in all major target countries, as well as its registration as an EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).