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Cyprus Strengthens Fire Protection In Mountain Villages

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2025

Cyprus is taking strong measures to combat the increasing risk of wildfires in its mountain villages. A new strategy, introduced by the Forestry Department and Mountain Commissioner Charalambos Christophinis, aims to protect both the environment and local communities.

Main Causes Of Rising Fire Risk

The risk of wildfires has grown due to rural abandonment and climate change. These factors have caused a dangerous buildup of flammable material. Prolonged droughts and lack of rainfall have only made the situation worse. Authorities are particularly concerned about the mountainous and semi-mountainous regions, where the risk to lives and property is highest.

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Creating A Fire-Resistant Barrier

A key component of the new plan is the creation of a “protective ring” around vulnerable areas. This protective ring will be placed within a two-kilometer radius of state forests. The goal is to reduce the accumulation of flammable material, making it harder for fires to start and spread.

Collaboration For Success

These measures are part of the ‘Vegetation Management Study for Fire Protection of Forests and Parasitic Communities’ program. The Ministry of Agriculture will implement these changes within state forests, while local governments will manage areas outside the forests.

Prevention And Vigilance Are Key

“Preventing fires and staying vigilant are our strongest tools,” authorities stated. They emphasized that cooperation from local communities and government bodies is crucial to ensuring the safety of all residents.

Recent Wildfires Highlight Urgency

Cyprus has faced severe wildfires in recent years, including one in June that destroyed more than 3,300 hectares of land and forced evacuations. The Paphos area was hit hardest, with nearly two dozen homes damaged. While no lives were lost, the event highlighted the urgent need for better fire prevention strategies. The wildfire season typically begins in late April and lasts for several months.

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Foreign Firms Contribute €3.5 Billion To Cyprus Economy In 2023

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 12, 2025

Recent Eurostat data reveals that Cyprus remains an outlier within the European Union, where foreign-controlled companies contribute minimally to the nation’s employment figures and economic output. While these enterprises have a substantial impact in other member states, in Cyprus they account for only 10 percent of all jobs, a figure comparable only to Italy and marginally higher than Greece’s 8 percent.

Employment Impact

The report highlights that foreign-controlled companies in Cyprus employ 32,119 individuals out of a total workforce that, across the EU, reaches 24,145,727. In contrast, countries such as Luxembourg boast a 45 percent job share in foreign-controlled firms, with Slovakia and the Czech Republic following closely at 28 percent.

Economic Output Analysis

In terms of economic contribution, these enterprises generated a total value added of €3.5 billion in Cyprus, a small fraction compared to the overall EU total of €2.39 trillion. Notably, Ireland leads with 71 percent of its value added stemming from foreign-controlled firms, followed by Luxembourg at 61 percent and Slovakia at 50 percent. On the lower end, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany exhibit values below 20 percent.

Domestic Versus Foreign Ownership

The data underscores Cyprus’s heavy reliance on domestically controlled enterprises for both employment and economic output. However, it is important to note that certain businesses might be owned by foreign nationals who have established companies under Cypriot jurisdiction. As a result, these firms are classified as domestically controlled despite having foreign ownership or management components.

Conclusion

This analysis emphasizes the unique role that foreign-controlled enterprises play within the Cypriot economy. While their overall impact is limited compared to some EU counterparts, the presence of these companies continues to contribute significantly to the island’s economic landscape.