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Cyprus And Saudi Arabia Forge Strategic Tourism Partnership

Cyprus and Saudi Arabia have formalized a strategic accord to enhance their tourism sectors through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the official visit of Cyprus Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, in Riyadh. The pact, endorsed by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb, marks the onset of a renewed phase of high-level cooperation between the two nations.

Focus On Sustainable Development And Technological Integration

The agreement underscores a commitment to sustainable tourism growth, comprehensive knowledge exchange, and enhanced cooperation in tourism education and technology. Both sides will undertake joint initiatives to implement strategic actions on national and global fronts, setting a robust framework for future endeavors.

Strategic Engagement At The UN Tourism Assembly

During his itinerary, Mr. Koumis attended the 26th UN Tourism Assembly, where the ratification of Shaikha Al Nowais as the new Secretary General was celebrated. In addition, his meetings with Saudi officials and international delegates reinforced the mutual intent to expand the reach of their tourism offerings and cultivate strategic partnerships.

Emerging Markets And Cross-Border Opportunities

Characterizing Saudi Arabia as an emerging and promising market, the Deputy Minister highlighted its robust economy and burgeoning outbound tourism sector, positioning the Kingdom as a future powerhouse for attracting European tourists. This perspective aligns with Cyprus’s continuous upward trajectory in visitor numbers.

Expanding Economic And Tourism Horizons

Mr. Koumis stressed the strategic importance of nurturing closer ties with neighboring markets by deepening the presence of Saudi tourism within Cyprus. He expressed optimism that increased travel between the two countries, bolstered by Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategic tourism plan, would foster broader economic collaboration. His discussions with Saudi Deputy Minister of Investment, Yousef Almubarak, further highlighted the interconnection between economic and tourism developments.

Looking Ahead

Extensive briefings with Saudi media and targeted consultations with key stakeholders underline a clear roadmap for future collaboration. As Cyprus and Saudi Arabia continue to build on this momentum, their partnership is poised to drive significant long-term growth in the global tourism arena, setting an example of strategic international cooperation.

Nearly 80% Of Cyprus’ Foreign Investment Came From Outside EU In 2025

Cyprus had the highest share of foreign direct investment (FDI) originating outside the European Union among 14 EU member states reporting data for 2025. According to Eurostat, non-EU economies accounted for 79.4% of the island’s inward FDI, highlighting its distinct position among the reporting countries.

The figures contrast with most other EU economies, where investment from within the bloc remains the main source of foreign capital.

Cyprus Leads In Non-EU Investment Share

Eurostat measures inward FDI positions by the ultimate investing economy, identifying the economy where the investment ultimately originates rather than only the country through which it is channelled. This distinction is important when investments involve subsidiaries or intermediary holding companies.

In nine of the 14 reporting countries, most foreign investment came from within the EU. The Czech Republic recorded the highest intra-EU share, at 75.1%, followed by Romania at 73.3% and Estonia at 64.8%.

Cyprus was among five countries where non-EU economies accounted for more than half of inward FDI. Spain, Sweden, Greece and Denmark also recorded shares above 50%, ranging from 51% to 55.1%.

US Is The Largest Source Of FDI Across Reporting Countries

Across the 14 countries collectively, the United States was the largest ultimate source of foreign direct investment, accounting for 15.4% of the total.

Germany ranked second at 11.5%, followed by France at 9.4%, the United Kingdom at 9.3% and Switzerland at 5.8%.

These figures reflect the combined investment positions of the reporting countries and do not identify Cyprus’s leading individual investment sources. However, the country-level data underline the island’s strong reliance on capital originating outside the European Union.

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