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Cyprus State Revenue Reaches €3.8 Billion By May 2026

Revenue Performance Overview

State budget revenue reached 35% of the annual target by the end of May 2026, while expenditure stood at 32%, according to the Treasury’s latest report.

Total revenue amounted to €3.8 billion, compared with €3.59 billion during the same period last year. The increase was largely supported by stronger tax collections across several categories.

Tax Revenues And Expense Allocations

Both indirect and direct tax revenues recorded annual growth during the first five months of the year. Indirect tax collections increased by €120 million to €1.42 billion, driven primarily by value-added tax receipts. Direct tax revenue also moved higher, rising by €110 million to €1.29 billion, an annual increase of 8%.

While revenue continued to grow, spending patterns also shifted during the period. Expenditure on transfers, subsidies, and social benefits increased by €70 million, €40 million, and €40 million respectively.

At the same time, spending on salaries, pensions, and other remuneration edged down by €10 million to €1.35 billion.

Capital Investment And Development Indicators

Alongside current expenditure, capital spending continued to account for a significant share of government activity.

Capital expenditure reached €111.3 million, with funding directed towards road infrastructure, construction projects, and government facilities. These investments contributed to a development spending implementation rate of 19%, above the ten-year average of 17% recorded during the same period.

Fiscal Financing And Strategic Projections

Beyond revenue and expenditure trends, the report also highlighted changes in financing activity. Differences compared with 2025 were mainly linked to the timing of European Medium Term Note issuances. Repayment inflows totaled €1.06 billion, while repayments and new issuances combined reached €2.06 billion.

Funding also continued to flow into development programmes. Spending on co-funded projects and other planned disbursements amounted to €83.9 million, supporting areas such as industrial technology, education, and urban development.

Additional support was directed to academic institutions, including the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology, with total allocations reaching €69.7 million. Separate funding for education, cultural initiatives, and housing support amounted to €24.5 million.

Cyprus Promotes Ship Registry In Asia As Fleet Grows To 25-Year High

Cyprus is stepping up efforts to attract international shipowners, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis holding high-level meetings in China and Japan as the country’s ship register reaches its strongest level in 25 years.

Running from October 14 to 29, the Asian mission focuses on expanding commercial ties, promoting the advantages of the Cyprus flag and strengthening cooperation with shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime authorities.

China Meetings Target Shipowners And Industry Leaders

In Shanghai, Hadjimanolis met Wang Qian, vice-director of the Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce and Shipping Service Office, ahead of the North Bund International Shipping Forum on October 20–21. Organisers expect around 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, with discussions covering international shipping, maritime safety, financing, insurance, digitalisation and the transition to cleaner fuels.

The minister also met representatives of Dalian Trawind Shipping and Fortuna Shipbrokers Inc. to present the Cyprus registry’s advantages and explore registration opportunities for vessel owners. On October 20, she is scheduled to speak at the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum in Pudong, joining a ministerial roundtable on international maritime leadership.

A visit to Zhoushan is also planned for the naming ceremony of Kypros Island, a new vessel for the Cyprus register owned by Safe Bulkers. Launched in June at the Tsuneishi shipyard on Xiushan Island, the 81,200-deadweight-tonne methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier is scheduled for delivery at the end of October. According to the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, sea trials were due to take place between October 11 and 16.

Japan Engagements Strengthen Maritime Ties

Before travelling to China, Hadjimanolis met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenta Aoshima, in Tokyo on October 16. Her programme also included meetings with senior representatives of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Nihon Shipyard, NYK Line, ITOCHU Corporation and SSY Projects, focusing on cooperation with Japanese shipowners, shipbuilders and shipping operators.

At the 5th Annual Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum, held at the Tokyo American Club, Hadjimanolis discussed maritime leadership, competitiveness, policy and international cooperation with Capital Link founder and president Nicolas Bornozis. Other sessions examined Japan’s shipbuilding strategy, new-vessel financing and the development of ammonia-powered ships.

The Tokyo programme followed a Cyprus Ship Registry reception on October 15 for representatives of Japan’s maritime and business communities. Hadjimanolis outlined the country’s shipping services and regulatory framework, while Polys Hajioannou, chief executive of Safe Bulkers and president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, delivered the opening remarks.

Registry Reaches Highest Level In 25 Years

At the reception, Hadjimanolis said the Cyprus Ship Registry had grown by 27% since September 2023, reaching its highest level in a quarter of a century. She attributed the expansion to efforts to improve competitiveness, simplify administrative procedures and provide more responsive services to international shipowners.

Cyprus’s inclusion on the White Lists of the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding was another point highlighted by the minister. These lists reflect the safety and inspection performance of ships flying a national flag.

Existing commercial links with Japan include Safe Bulkers’ announcement in May of four Japanese-built dry bulk vessels scheduled for delivery in 2029.

South Korea Next On The Maritime Agenda

Hadjimanolis’ mission will continue in South Korea, where she is expected to attend the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event and Korea Maritime Week alongside International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and government representatives from several countries.

Her programme will also include discussions on implementing international maritime conventions and bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Cyprus’s shipping ties with South Korea.

The Asian outreach comes as maritime centres compete for shipowners amid geopolitical uncertainty, fleet renewal and pressure to reduce shipping emissions. For Cyprus, the strategy combines promotion of its registry with closer relationships across Asia’s shipbuilding and shipping sectors.

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