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Cyprus Bets On Construction As A Pillar Of Sustainable Growth And Housing Reform

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 3, 2026

President Nikos Christodoulides has positioned Cyprus’ construction sector at the heart of the country’s transition to a more sustainable economy, describing it as a key driver of housing supply, investment and long-term growth.

Construction At The Centre Of Economic Strategy

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Cyprus Association of Building Contractors (OSEOK) in Nicosia, Christodoulides said the transition to a greener development model requires close cooperation between the government and the private sector.

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Construction, he said, contributes far beyond its share of economic output by supporting employment, regional development and the infrastructure on which communities and businesses depend.

At the same time, Cyprus is undergoing a period of economic and technological transformation that demands a more flexible and efficient public sector. According to the president, the government is pursuing reforms to modernise public services, reduce bureaucracy and accelerate investment while supporting broader social objectives.

Faster Permits To Boost Housing

A central part of that effort is the reform of the development licensing system led by the Interior Ministry. The initiative aims to simplify procedures, expand digital services and introduce clear processing deadlines without compromising transparency or safety standards.

Christodoulides said the changes are already producing results, with permits issued for nearly 3,000 residential units within 40 working days and around 1,000 apartment buildings within 80 working days.

“The significant acceleration in the issuance of permits for new residential developments proves that when the state wishes, it can operate more effectively,” he said. “That strengthens competitiveness and helps address social challenges.”

Housing Remains A Priority

The president described access to affordable, quality housing as one of Cyprus’ biggest challenges, particularly for young people and young families.

He said the government’s housing strategy combines financial incentives, targeted support schemes and institutional reforms designed to increase housing supply. As part of that effort, the Cyprus Land Development Organisation has resumed operations with new financial support and initiatives after becoming largely inactive following 2022.

Christodoulides stressed that those policies depend on a strong construction industry, describing OSEOK as a strategic partner in expanding housing supply, containing construction costs and supporting sustainable residential development.

Building For The Future

Looking ahead, the president said the sector’s long-term competitiveness will increasingly depend on digitalisation, energy-efficient construction, innovative building materials and modern technologies.

He added that sustainable development should be measured not only by economic growth, but also by the quality of infrastructure, environmental protection and improvements to citizens’ quality of life.

Concluding his remarks, Christodoulides called for continued cooperation between the state and the construction industry, saying trust, transparency and regular dialogue would remain essential to delivering modern infrastructure, expanding housing opportunities and supporting Cyprus’ long-term development.

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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.