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Cyprus Property Valuers Advocate Investment Funds For Affordable Housing Initiative

A Strategic Investment for Social Stability

Cyprus’ property valuers association has put forward a compelling proposal for the creation of 500 new affordable housing units. The association recommends that investment funds, including the social insurance fund and other private initiatives, actively participate in the development process. This strategic move is intended to secure the long-term financial stability required for such a vital infrastructure project.

An Innovative Financial Model

Polys Kourousides, President of the association, emphasized that the financial structure should be designed to avoid additional strain on the state budget. “The model should prioritize sustainability and efficiency, especially since the private sector is tasked with the delivery of these housing units,” Kourousides stated. His remarks highlight the importance of blending public interest with private sector expertise to effectively address pressing social challenges.

Addressing a Growing Social Need

Kourousides further described the initiative as a timely response to one of the most urgent social issues of our time. The association has long championed the use of state-owned land for affordable housing projects, underlining its commitment to socially balanced urban development. In addition, the association remains prepared to assist the government by providing essential technical and scientific perspectives to shape a modern, efficient housing framework.

Looking Ahead

This proposal underscores the growing recognition among industry leaders that innovative financial models and public-private collaboration are essential to address housing shortages. With a clear roadmap and the right investment partners, Cyprus may well set a benchmark in sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Euro Area Trade Surplus Squeezed In November 2025 As Machinery Exports Slide

The euro area recorded a €9.90 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in November 2025, marking a notable decline from the €15.40 billion surplus in November 2024. Eurostat’s latest data points to a cooling in international trade activity, driven primarily by weaker exports of manufactured goods, despite improvements in the energy sector.

Declining Exports And Imports

In November 2025, the euro area’s exports fell to €240.20 billion, a 3.4 percent drop from €248.70 billion a year earlier. Imports declined by 1.3 percent to €230.30 billion, compared with €233.30 billion in November 2024. This contraction in trade was mainly due to reduced activity in the manufacturing sector, which was only partially offset by gains in energy.

Sectoral Shifts: Improvement In Energy Performance

Among the notable shifts, the energy sector showed substantial improvement. The energy deficit was narrowed significantly, decreasing from a minus €24.30 billion in November 2024 to minus €17.60 billion in November 2025. This improvement underscores strategic adjustments in energy-related policies and investments aimed at mitigating broader economic challenges.

Year-To-Date Performance And Trends

For the first 11 months of 2025, the euro area achieved a total surplus of €152.70 billion, a decrease from €156.80 billion in the same period of 2024. During this period, exports to the rest of the world increased by 2.3 percent to €2.70 trillion, while imports edged up by 2.6 percent to €2.55 trillion. Intra-euro area trade also grew by 1.6 percent, reaching €2.42 trillion, reflecting steady domestic market activities within the single currency bloc.

European Union Trade Outlook

Across the wider European Union, the trade surplus in November 2025 stood at €8.10 billion, compared with €11.80 billion in November 2024. EU exports fell by 4.4 percent to €213.80 billion, while imports declined by 2.9 percent to €205.70 billion. Although the energy deficit improved, shrinking from €28.20 billion to €20.40 billion, weaker performance in key manufacturing segments, particularly machinery and vehicles, weighed on the overall balance.

Over the first 11 months of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus of €122.40 billion, down from €128.00 billion in the same period of 2024. Exports and imports increased by 2 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, while intra-EU trade grew by 2.2 percent to €3.82 trillion. The data points to mixed trends across EU trade rather than a uniform pattern of expansion or contraction.

Seasonally Adjusted Insights

On a seasonally adjusted month-to-month basis, figures for November 2025 show that euro area exports increased by 1.1 percent and imports by 2.5 percent, resulting in a surplus of €10.70 billion. In the European Union, exports rose by 2 percent and imports by 3.5 percent, yielding a seasonally adjusted surplus of €8.80 billion.

During the three months from September to November 2025, trade with non-euro and non-EU partners revealed divergent trends. Manufactured goods continued to face challenges, while energy-related trade showed relative strength.

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