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Cyprus Eyes Global Investment With Strategic Industrial Overhaul

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 24, 2025

Cyprus is poised to roll out a bold strategy to attract foreign investment while revitalising its industrial landscape, according to Energy, Trade, and Industry Minister George Papanastasiou. Speaking at a public consultation in Nicosia, the Minister outlined plans to streamline investment processes, strengthen domestic production, and expand the global footprint of Cypriot businesses.

The upcoming strategy includes the establishment of a specialized organization tasked with fast-tracking investment applications—a move designed to reduce red tape and boost investor confidence. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s comprehensive Policy Document for Industrial Competitiveness and Internationalisation (2025–2030) outlines a roadmap to modernize Cyprus’ industrial sector, making it more resilient, flexible, and internationally competitive.

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“This is about creating a holistic approach that elevates local production while giving Cypriot businesses the tools to thrive on the global stage,” Papanastasiou noted. He stressed the importance of aligning with the European Industrial Strategy and integrating recommendations from the Draghi Report to future-proof the nation’s economic landscape.

While Cyprus boasts strengths such as an attractive tax framework, EU membership, and a highly educated workforce, challenges like soaring energy costs, licensing delays, and an over-reliance on raw material imports remain hurdles. Papanastasiou acknowledged these weaknesses, emphasizing that fixing bottlenecks in the permitting process and reining in operational costs are key priorities.

Rebranding Cypriot exports under the “Cyprus-made” label is also a cornerstone of the plan, with targeted trade missions abroad playing a pivotal role in enhancing global recognition. “We need to diversify our offerings and sharpen our competitive edge,” Papanastasiou said.

The Policy Document highlights four core pillars: prioritizing strategic sectors, fostering sustainability, advancing innovation and technology, and equipping the workforce with future-ready skills. These initiatives aim to bridge gaps in the business ecosystem and position Cyprus as a hub for industrial excellence.

The Ministry has set a February deadline to finalize its Action Plan, which will include prioritized measures to reinforce the nation’s export capabilities and bolster its industrial ecosystem. Once approved by the Council of Ministers, the strategy is expected to catalyze sustainable economic growth and secure Cyprus’ position in the competitive global market.

“Cyprus has a unique opportunity to redefine its industrial identity,” Papanastasiou concluded. “By leveraging our strengths and addressing our weaknesses, we can ensure a prosperous and globally connected future.”

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.