Breaking news

Cyprus Launches Premier Business Facilitation Center to Empower Local And Foreign Investors

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 18, 2025

President Christodoulidis Spearheads A New Era

In a decisive move to bolster the country’s business landscape, President Nikos Christodoulidis announced in December 2024 the establishment of the Center for Business Facilitation – a dedicated one‐stop shop designed to streamline government services for both Cypriot and foreign investors. Officially inaugurated in May 2025, the center is set to redefine business engagement in Cyprus.

Strategic Consolidation of Services

Positioned as a central hub for enterprise support, the center consolidates multiple public services under one roof. This innovative approach promises to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and deliver a coordinated service experience, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Cyprus on the global stage. The initiative reflects the country’s commitment to providing timely responses to investor needs and rectifying long-standing operational inefficiencies.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Partnership With The Federation Of Employers And Industrialists

Supporting this transformation is the influential Federation Of Employers And Industrialists (OEβ), which showcased the center’s comprehensive suite of services during an informational session on December 15, 2025. According to the federation, the center stands as a critical tool in driving business development and competitive advantage through improved service delivery across public agencies.

Integrated Service Offering For Investors

The Center for Business Facilitation operates through a unique public partnership model. It incorporates the Business Support Unit (BFU) of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry alongside the Strategic Development Unit (TSA) from the Department of Urban Planning and Housing. Additional dedicated contact points are provided by various regulatory bodies, including representation from Invest Cyprus, ensuring a fully coordinated mechanism for investment licensing and information dissemination.

A Comprehensive Suite Of Services

The center offers a wide range of services designed to accompany businesses throughout their lifecycle. Key offerings include:

Tailored information and personalized guidance
Registration in the Register Of Companies With Significant Foreign Ownership
Support in the implementation of energy projects via the Single Energy Projects Service
Access to the Unified Service Center (UKC Cyprus)
Licensing for strategic development projects as outlined under Law No. 84(I)/2023

End-to-End Business Information Platform

Beyond service facilitation, the center provides integrated information covering all stages of the business lifecycle, including:

Business Planning and Launch
Operational Management and Growth Strategies
Financing Solutions
Exit Strategies

Additionally, detailed guidance on regulatory licensing is available for sectors ranging from industrial setups, retail trade, education, healthcare, to tourism and cross-border services.

Registration And Investment Criteria

The center also outlines the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the Register Of Companies With Significant Foreign Ownership. To qualify, a business must meet specific conditions such as:

Majority share ownership by non-Cypriot nationals
Public companies listed on recognized stock exchanges
Certain sectors including maritime, high technology, innovation, biogenetics, and biotechnology

Furthermore, companies are required to maintain independent office spaces within Cyprus separate from residential zones, along with an initial investment of at least €200,000.

Priority Sectors For Strategic Development

The center gives priority to monitoring licensing progress for projects in key strategic sectors. These include projects that have secured or are in the process of securing government or EU financing, renewable energy and energy storage projects, critical infrastructure developments under the Decadal Transmission System Plan, and initiatives in the manufacturing and data center infrastructure sectors.

By consolidating these services under one cohesive framework, Cyprus is positioning itself as a leading destination for global investment and business excellence.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Flexible Payment Models Support Broadband Expansion In Africa

Informal Economy Drives New Broadband Strategies Across Africa

More than 80% of the workforce in Africa operates within the informal economy, creating both challenges and opportunities for broadband expansion across the continent, according to a recent study by Omdia.

The report, titled Broadband And The Informal Economy In Africa, examined the barriers to expanding digital connectivity in markets dominated by informal workers and businesses operating outside formal economic structures.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Broadband Challenges In The Informal Economy

According to the study, the informal sector continues to expand amid high unemployment, underemployment, poverty and gender inequality across many African economies. Those structural conditions complicate broadband deployment and reduce the effectiveness of traditional fixed billing models, particularly for consumers with irregular income streams and limited financial flexibility.

Variable earnings and the absence of formal employment structures have also increased demand for lower-cost and more flexible connectivity options.

Mobile Broadband And Prepaid Fibre Solutions

Telecommunications providers are increasingly relying on mobile broadband infrastructure and prepaid fibre services to address those challenges. Flexible payment models are gaining traction across the market because they better align with the financial realities of informal workers and small businesses. Prepaid connectivity services also reduce the need for long-term contracts and fixed monthly commitments.

The study identified mobile broadband networks as a key driver of digital access across underserved communities.

Implications And Strategic Recommendations

Thecla Mbongue said the informal economy represents both a challenge and an opportunity for broadband expansion in Africa. The report also examined smartphone adoption trends and alternative device financing models designed to lower access barriers for lower-income consumers.

Researchers emphasized the importance of understanding connectivity usage patterns and payment preferences within informal markets when designing broadband services.

A Roadmap For Inclusive Growth

The study recommended that policymakers and telecommunications providers develop business models tailored to consumers with irregular incomes and limited access to formal financial systems. Prepaid fibre services without long-term contractual obligations were highlighted as one potential solution for expanding digital inclusion.

As digital services become increasingly important for economic participation, mobile broadband and flexible payment systems are expected to play a larger role in expanding connectivity across Africa.