Cyprus Strengthens Investment Ties With India At Mumbai Business Forum

Forum Highlights: Forging New Investment Pathways

In a clear demonstration of its growing global influence, several leading Indian companies participated in the Cyprus-India Business Forum held in Mumbai. The event, organized by Invest Cyprus, brought together approximately 30 investors keen to explore opportunities in Cyprus. The forum also featured bilateral discussions with top executives, underscoring the island’s commitment to attracting strategic investments.

Economic Growth And Strategic Positioning

President Nikos Christodoulides described Cyprus as a stable and reliable business partner positioned between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The President highlighted the country’s economic growth, declining public debt and foreign direct investment exceeding €81 billion, equivalent to more than 225% of GDP. According to Christodoulides, those figures reinforce Cyprus’ position as a regional investment and business hub.

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

Regional Connectivity And Sectoral Opportunities

Particular attention during the forum focused on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and Cyprus’ potential role within the initiative. Christodoulides said Cyprus’ geographic location and infrastructure position the country to attract investment in shipping, logistics, digital infrastructure and energy cooperation projects. Government officials also stressed the island’s role as a gateway for companies seeking access to European Union markets and regional connectivity networks.

Voices From The Industry

Participants at the forum expressed enthusiastic interest in the Cypriot market. Sunil Reddy Dodla, Chief Executive Officer of Dodla Dairy Ltd, remarked on the island’s strategic advantage in accessing European Union markets and promoting Cypriot products such as halloumi. Similarly, Dr. Isaac Mathai, founder of Soukya International Holistic Health Centre, identified Cyprus as an ideal launchpad for expanding wellness services across Europe, noting the nation’s favorable climate, supportive government initiatives, and international clientele from over 125 countries.

Presidential Engagement And Future Prospects

During the visit to Mumbai, President Nikos Christodoulides also attended a ceremony at the National Stock Exchange of India, where he rang the closing bell marking the end of the trading session. The President said recent high-level visits between Cyprus and India had strengthened bilateral economic relations and created momentum for deeper business and investment cooperation. Christodoulides also highlighted the role of private sector institutions and financial markets in supporting long-term economic collaboration between the two countries.

Looking Ahead

Following the session at the Stock Exchange, President Christodoulidis and his delegation departed for New Delhi, where additional high-level meetings with India’s top political leaders are scheduled. The forum and subsequent engagements signal a decisive step forward in reinforcing Cyprus’s stature as a strategic investment hub in the international arena.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

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.

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

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.

Breaking news