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Demetra Holdings Plc Posts €132.5 Million Profit in 2024 Amid Strategic Execution and Economic Resilience

Robust Financial Results and Strategic Leadership

At its annual general meeting on June 24, Demetra Holdings Plc announced a profit of €132.5 million for 2024. Acting chairman Nearchos Ioannou acknowledged the unwavering support of shareholders, emphasizing that the company’s strong performance reflects years of disciplined execution and a strategic focus that has established it as the largest listed investment company on the regulated Cyprus Stock Exchange.

Steady Growth in a Volatile Global Environment

Ioannou detailed how Demetra maintained its upward momentum despite the ongoing global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Focusing on the domestic economy, he noted that Cyprus posted one of the highest growth rates in the eurozone at 3.4 percent, driven primarily by a renaissance in tourism, vigorous domestic consumption, and expansive growth in the services and technology sectors.

Macroeconomic Trends and Future Outlook

Highlighting other key economic indicators, Ioannou pointed out that inflation moderated to 2.2 percent and unemployment fell to 4.6 percent by the fourth quarter. A fiscal surplus of 4.3 percent also contributed to a reduction in public debt to 65 percent of GDP. Looking ahead, he forecast stable growth of around 3 percent in 2025, with inflation remaining near 2.2 percent. Strength in net exports, especially within the services sector, along with accelerated investment activity fueled by EU Recovery and Resilience funds, underpin the optimistic outlook.

Risks and Strategic Responses

Despite the positive trends, Ioannou cautioned against emerging challenges. Warnings from OECD and IMF regarding global growth deceleration and risks of an overheated domestic economy were acknowledged. Concerns about public spending pressures and elevated non-performing loans within credit-acquiring institutions also persist, potentially constraining domestic capital mobilisation. Additionally, the high concentration in the banking sector poses competitive challenges that require attention.

Investment Milestones and Future Development

Reviewing the company’s financial journey, Ioannou recounted the successful exit from a long-standing investment in Hellenic Bank—a decision that, over 12 years, yielded a compounded annual return of 19.7 percent. Although the profits reported in 2024 do not include realised gains, the sale of Hellenic Bank shares in February 2025 further bolstered the company’s financial profile. With net assets rising by 35.9 percent to €499.8 million, Demetra now stands on a robust footing to navigate its next phase of growth.

Maintaining Commitment to Long-Term Value Creation

In closing, Ioannou reaffirmed Demetra’s commitment to building long-term value. He stressed the necessity for adaptability, flexibility, and transparency in the face of ongoing global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and energy price volatility. As Demetra continues to refine its forward-planning and investment strategy, the company remains determined to support both consumer and business interests, underpinning its strategic vision for the future.

€50 Million Luxury Resort Planned For Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa could strengthen its position in the premium tourism market with a proposed €50 million mixed-use resort combining a hotel, serviced apartments, luxury bungalows and a beach club.

Aesara Investments Ltd has submitted an information form to the Department of Environment for a development to operate under the name Atlantica Wavemaster Hospitality. The project is planned for the Limnara area of Ayia Napa, along the coast south of Kryou Nerou Avenue, between the town centre and Cape Greco.

Hotel, Apartments And Luxury Bungalows

The proposed resort will include a 324-room hotel with capacity for 648 guests, alongside a condo-hotel building containing 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Facilities are planned to include restaurants, bars, cafés, a spa with an indoor pool, a gym, shops, a multipurpose hall, a children’s club and a cinema.

A further 33 three-level luxury bungalows, each designed for two guests and featuring a private swimming pool, are planned for the southern part of the site. A beach club with a restaurant and an outdoor pool complex covering more than 6,300 square metres will also form part of the development.

The project includes 321 parking spaces, including 12 for people with disabilities, and 14,196 square metres of landscaped green space featuring local plant species.

Seasonal Hotel Operations And Year-Round Residences

The hotel is expected to operate from March to November, with peak occupancy during the summer season. The condo-hotel apartments, meanwhile, will be available for sale or long-term rental and intended for year-round residence. Owners and tenants will also have access to the resort’s facilities, including its pools, restaurants and fitness areas.

Construction is expected to take 24 months once the required permits are secured. At the busiest stage, the project could employ around 100 workers per day.

Environmental Restrictions Near Cape Greco

The site’s proximity to protected Natura 2000 areas has prompted strict environmental requirements. The Cape Greco Special Protection Area borders the site to the south, while a Special Area of Conservation lies approximately 50 metres away.

Conditions imposed by the Department of Environment include a maximum building height of five floors, or 18.5 metres, and restrictions on permanent structures near the coastline. The project must also use spider-web type glazing and low-intensity lighting to minimise disturbance to local birdlife.

According to the project’s consultants, the design has been prepared to comply with the environmental conditions and the final report on cumulative impacts for the Cape Greco Special Protection Area. The hotel and apartment building are positioned in the central and northern parts of the plot, away from the shoreline.

Within the designated no-build zone, located 40 metres from the boundary of the beach protection zone, only swimming pools are planned. The consultants state that these are not expected to affect protected species in the area.

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