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Cyprus Emerges As Premier Investment Hub With Robust FDI Growth

Strong FDI Performance And Strategic Investment In Technology

Cyprus recorded €8.5 billion in gross foreign direct investment inflows in 2024, according to data presented at the annual general meeting of Invest Cyprus. The figures represent an increase of about 60% compared with the previous year and place the country among the top ten globally on a per capita basis.

Advancing International Partnerships And Expanding Economic Influence

The annual review highlighted several investment developments. Invest Cyprus reported more than 70 quality letters of intent and the progression of 12 major investment projects. More than 420 companies established operations in Cyprus through the Business Support Centre, according to the organization. Technology attracted a significant share of investment. Around €2.6 billion was allocated to the sector, primarily in information and communication technology.

Strategic Global Outreach And Enhanced Economic Cooperation

Invest Cyprus expanded its international outreach activities in 2025. The program included presidential missions to Canada, New York and San Francisco. Cyprus also strengthened cooperation with India and Gulf countries. The country supported the establishment of the India–Greece–Cyprus and UAE–Cyprus Business and Investment Councils and continued trilateral cooperation initiatives with Egypt. Officials said the initiatives aim to strengthen economic cooperation and attract additional foreign investment.

Future Outlook: Expanding Influence And Strategic Communication

Invest Cyprus plans additional international promotional activities in 2026. The program includes events in London and New York organized in collaboration with the Financial Times. A business and investment mission to India is also planned. The visit will coincide with the official trip of the President of Cyprus and will be coordinated with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The organization is also expanding partnerships in the defence sector with European and Indian companies.

Leadership Endorsements And Strategic Continuity

Invest Cyprus Chairman Evgenios Evgeniou said consistent international communication remains important for strengthening Cyprus’ position as an investment destination. Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said that Invest Cyprus’s work contributes to the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness. The meeting also confirmed the appointment of a new board of directors to oversee the organisation’s future investment promotion activities.

A Resilient Future For Cyprus

The meeting confirmed the appointment of a new board of directors at Invest Cyprus. The board will oversee the organization’s investment promotion activities and international partnerships.

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

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