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National Bank Of Greece Cyprus And University Of Cyprus Lead Innovation In Entrepreneurial Competition 2025

National Bank Of Greece Cyprus has strategically partnered with the University Of Cyprus to bolster the initiatives of the Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition (CyEC) 2025 through its prestigious NBG Business Seeds programme.

Strengthening The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Committed to fostering dynamic and forward-thinking business solutions, NBG Cyprus is leveraging its long-standing support for innovative entrepreneurship. The bank’s initiative highlights a deliberate effort to transform creative ideas into viable, market-ready ventures, setting a benchmark for business development in the region.

Promoting Strategic Collaboration

Organized by the University of Cyprus’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E) under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, the competition is a milestone event designed to spur innovation. This year, the competition has attracted a record participation of over 50 teams from across Cyprus, reinforcing its role as a key platform for emerging start-ups and young professionals.

Unlocking Global Opportunities

Winners of the competition will gain direct access to Phase B of the 16th Innovation and Technology Competition, an initiative that spans both Greece and Cyprus. This fast-track promotion not only opens the door to a vast network of investors, mentors, and innovation experts but also positions the participating entrepreneurs to compete on a broader, regional stage.

This collaboration is a testament to the power of strategic partnerships in accelerating entrepreneurial growth and technological innovation.

Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

Strategic Partnership Enhances Tourism Prospects

The Cyprus Tourism Authority (EOT Cyprus) presented proposals for summer 2026 focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, with joint efforts aimed at attracting visitors from long-haul markets.

Greece: The Top Destination For Cypriot Travelers

At an event on April 28, Athena Spakouri, Director of EOT Cyprus, said Greece is expected to remain the main travel destination for Cypriot residents, with plans extending beyond established locations to include lesser-known regions. This approach reflects a broader effort to diversify travel options while maintaining strong demand between the two countries.

Complementary Destinations, Unified Vision

Building on this, Spakouri noted that Cyprus and Greece offer complementary tourism experiences rather than competing directly. Joint programmes are therefore being positioned to attract visitors from markets such as the United States and China, while tourism activity continues to be assessed in the context of broader geopolitical developments.

Robust Air And Sea Connectivity

Supporting this cooperation, Konstantinos Kollias said around 600,000 Cypriots travelled to Greece in 2025. Frequent flights, short travel times, and ferry connections between Limassol and Piraeus continue to facilitate movement between the two countries and sustain travel flows.

Diverse Tourism Offerings for a New Era

Konstantinos Kollias highlighted that Greece’s tourism portfolio spans from traditional seaside holidays to sectors such as cultural, religious, gastronomic, agritourism, ecotourism, spa, conference, and medical tourism.

This range reflects the expansion of tourism offerings across different segments and travel preferences. In parallel, Joseph Iosif referred to Greece as a “second homeland” for Cypriot travellers, pointing to longstanding cultural and travel links between the two countries.

Innovative Programs And Strengthened Connections

Building on this approach, the EOT strategy includes initiatives focused on gastronomic routes, cultural trails, thematic and religious tourism, as well as curated city breaks in destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki. These programmes were presented at the event alongside references to historical, cultural, and religious connections between Cyprus and Greece, including remarks from Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria.

Boosting Air Connectivity And Island Accessibility

At the same time, airlines including Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Cyprus Airways outlined plans to expand connections between Cyprus and Greece, with a focus on increasing access to island destinations. The event also brought together stakeholders from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Hermes Airports, tour operators, and ACTAA, reflecting coordination across different parts of the tourism sector.

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