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Cyprus Real Estate Agents Council Announces Mandatory Examination for Prospective Agents

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 9, 2025

The Cyprus Real Estate Agents Registration Council has confirmed that written examinations for new candidate real estate agents are scheduled for November 6, 2025. The examinations, an essential step toward licensure under the Republic’s property and planning legislation, will be held on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the Pavilion in Nicosia.

Legal Mandate and Industry Standards

Council President Marinos Kineyirou outlined that these examinations are conducted pursuant to Article 11(1)(a)(v) of the Real Estate Agents Law. This process is designed to ensure that all applicants possess the requisite understanding of the country’s complex real estate regulations, including the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Law, the Transfer and Mortgage Law No. 9 of 1965, and other pertinent legislations concerning property practices.

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Examination Details and Content

The candidates will be assessed through a closed-note, written examination conducted entirely in Greek. The scope of the assessment includes key legal provisions from various laws: the Land and Surveys Department (Fees and Charges) Law, the Sale of Immovable Property (Specific Performance) Law of 2011, the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law, the Town and Country Planning Law of 1972, and the Real Estate Agents Law of 2010. This rigorous evaluation process is set to uphold the integrity and professionalism within the industry.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Eligible candidates must submit their applications online by 2:00 p.m. on September 25, 2025, accompanied by a fee of €100. Applicants are required to meet stringent criteria under Article 11(1) of the Real Estate Agents Law. In addition to being a citizen of the Republic or another EU member state, candidates must not be bankrupt or under any legal incapacity, and must have a clean legal record free from convictions related to dishonesty or moral turpitude (unless formally rehabilitated). Furthermore, the academic prerequisites demand a recognized diploma reflecting a minimum of three years of post-secondary education relevant to the industry, or its part-time equivalent, alongside at least 12 months of professional experience as a registered assistant real estate agent. Postgraduate qualifications obtained after at least one academic year in relevant subjects are also acceptable.

Further Inquiries

Interested parties requiring additional details on the application process are encouraged to contact the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Registration Council at 22666377. This initiative reflects the Council’s commitment to enhancing professionalism and ensuring that prospective agents are adequately prepared to navigate the complexities of Cyprus’s property and planning sectors.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.