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Cyprus Economy Grows 3.3% In First Half Of 2026 As Fiscal Position Strengthens

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 2, 2026

Cyprus’ economy grew 3.3% in the first half of 2026, more than three times the average expansion across European Union member states, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said Wednesday.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Keravnos said the economy had maintained a strong pace of growth despite continued pressure from the global environment. Eurozone growth stood at 1% over the same period, he said.

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Growth Spreads Across Several Sectors

“We are growing at a rate more than three times the European average, at a time when most European economies are struggling,” Keravnos said.

Several sectors contributed to Cyprus’ expansion, including wholesale and retail trade, communications, insurance and construction. Keravnos said the distribution of growth across multiple areas of the economy reduced its reliance on any single sector.

Government Posts €770.6 Million Surplus

Cyprus’ public finances also remained in surplus. The government recorded a fiscal surplus of €770.6 million, equivalent to 2% of GDP.

Public debt fell to 55% of GDP at the end of last year, below the EU’s 60% benchmark for the first time since 2009. Unemployment remained around 4% during the first half of 2026.

Rating Agencies Maintain Investment-Grade Assessments

Recent decisions by international rating agencies have also reflected Cyprus’ economic and fiscal performance, Keravnos said.

Standard & Poor’s and Fitch maintained Cyprus’ rating at A- with a positive outlook in March and May, respectively. Moody’s affirmed its A3 rating in May.

Fitch and Moody’s are both scheduled to conduct their next reviews of Cyprus in November.

Inflation And Geopolitical Risks Remain

Keravnos also cautioned that the economy continues to face risks from regional conflicts and higher energy prices. Both factors have contributed to rising inflation and increased pressure on households and businesses.

Inflation climbed from 0.5% in January to 3.1% in June, while the government expects the rate to reach about 4% by the end of the year.

The government plans to continue measures aimed at easing pressure on households and businesses while maintaining fiscal discipline, Keravnos said.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

AI In Practice Brings Business Leaders Together To Learn, Unlearn And Relearn

by News Editor

October 16, 2026

AI in Practice: Changing the Future of Business takes place on Monday, 19 October 2026, at the Cultural Center of European University Cyprus in Nicosia, under the auspices of the Chief Scientist of Cyprus, Demetris Skourides.

Organised by Panis.News with co-organisers GrantXpert Consulting and Future Skills Hub at European University Cyprus, the event will bring together founders, SME owners and senior executives to examine practical uses of artificial intelligence.

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The evening runs from 18:00 to 22:30. Tickets will be available until 12:00 noon on Monday, 19 October, Cyprus time.

For business leaders, the challenge is deciding where AI can deliver results. The programme will explore how to identify useful applications, prepare teams and connect technology investment with business needs. Demonstrations, case studies and direct questions to speakers will help attendees assess their next steps.

Panis Pieri, Founder of Panis.News, said:

“Business leaders need space to ask questions, challenge assumptions and learn from people applying AI. We created AI in Practice to make that conversation accessible and useful. We want attendees to leave with a clearer idea of what they can do next in their own businesses.”

Dr Celia Hadjichristodoulou, Founder and Managing Director of GrantXpert Consulting and Future Skills Hub, said:

“Working out where AI belongs in your business takes real thought about your customers, your processes and your people.”

AIA.Labs supports the event as the Gold Partner. Its founder, Sotiris Makrygiannis, said:

“In the 70s we learnt how to punch a card to go to work or program a timesharing computing machine, in the 80s the personal PC and office tools, in the 90s the modem and basic internet, in the 2000s mobile internet plus web shopping, and by 2010 the mobile apps. Now it’s time to learn how to practically use AI and that alone is the most disruptive thing an individual can do today. We are happy to sponsor the event because theory needs a practical application.”

The Agenda

– 18:00–18:30: Registration and networking.

– 18:30–18:50: Welcome remarks from Panis Pieri, Dr Celia Hadjichristodoulou and EUC Rector Professor Loizos Symeou.

– 18:50–19:00: Interview with Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides.

– 19:00–19:20: The AI Revolution. Why should you care? by Monica Odysseos, Head of AI and Data Lab of Grant Thornton.

– 19:20–19:40: From Business Pain Points to AI Transformation: A CEO’s Roadmap to Real Results by George Malekkos, CEO of POWERSOFT Computer Solutions & AI-Driven Business Transformation Architect & President of CITEA.

– 19:40–20:20: AI and the Future of Business: Will Your Business Be Here in 2030? by Paris Thomas, Executive Advisor on AI & Strategy, Founder at Rapid Visual / Strapivo

– 20:20–21:00: Questions and answers with the speakers.

– 21:00–22:30: Networking over drinks and bites.

The Challenge

The evening’s programme approaches the challenge from three directions.

Monica Odysseos will begin with a question that deserves a clear answer: why should you care?

Her session will explore how AI is changing the way people work, make decisions and create. Her background spans software development, accounting and applied AI, bringing both technical and business perspectives to the discussion.

George Malekkos will then examine how business problems can become starting points for AI adoption.

Where does your company lose time? Which processes cause delays? Where could you improve the customer experience?

His presentation will look at selecting useful applications, preparing teams and processes, and measuring results. For a business owner deciding where to begin, that connection between a specific problem and a measurable outcome matters.

Paris Thomas will take the discussion further with his keynote, “AI and the Future of Business: Will Your Business Be Here in 2030?”

It is a challenging question. It asks leaders to look beyond today’s workload and consider how their products, services and business models might need to change.

His hour-long session will include live AI demonstrations and enterprise case studies. It will explore how leaders can improve their current business while developing new opportunities and preparing for longer-term change.

The Event

The event will be in English.

The full programme and to book your tickets, visit: https://luma.com/ai-in-practice-cyprus

The organisers thank:

Silver Partners Growth Hacking Cyprus, RSEVEN, Mel’s Digital and Makkas Winery.
Supporters: Cyprus Computer Society, XValley Tech, Business Society Accelerator, Startup School Cyprus and Carierista.
Community Partners: EIT Community Hub Cyprus, CYENS, Women in Tech, Startup Greece, ECECT, CITEA, IET Cyprus and Cyprus_IT

Follow updates about the event on social media at #PanisMeetups