Opens in a new tab

Breaking news

Cyprus’s New Fiscal Framework: A Catalyst for Sustainable Growth and Social Equity

Introduction To A New Era

The recently approved fiscal framework, endorsed by the Cyprus House of Representatives, signals a transformative shift for the nation’s economy. According to Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, the reform is designed to sustain economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and provide substantial support to Cypriot families in the coming years.

Commitment To Modernization And Economic Resilience

The approval of this modern tax system is a milestone culmination of an extensive and demanding effort—one that was integral to the pre-election commitments of the Government of Nikos Christodoulides. The reform embodies a comprehensive policy to modernize society, boost entrepreneurial spirit, uplift the country’s international image, and improve the overall living standards of citizens. In doing so, it reinforces the economy’s resilience against future uncertainties.

A Fair And Competitive Tax System

Set to be implemented on January 1, 2026, the new tax system promises a more equitable distribution of fiscal responsibilities while strengthening social cohesion. Minister Keravnos emphasized that the contemporary framework not only supports the real economy but also enhances the competitiveness of Cypriot enterprises, thereby attracting productive, high-quality foreign investments. The reform is strategically crafted to stimulate an environment conducive to business growth and innovation.

Targeted Relief For Families And Households

An important element of the reform is its targeted approach to personal taxation. By markedly reducing the tax burden on households—particularly those with children—the new framework offers tangible relief to vulnerable groups and the middle class, which is widely regarded as the backbone of both society and the economy. Such measures are crucial in reinforcing social stability and ensuring long-term prosperity.

Collaboration And Strategic Partnerships

Minister Keravnos extended his thanks to the numerous stakeholders whose hard work was pivotal in drafting, negotiating, and finalizing the reform. Key contributions came from the officials at the Ministry of Finance, the Cyprus University of Economics and Business’s research center, and various social partners. Furthermore, the cooperation of the members of the House of Representatives, including Chairwoman Christiana Erotokritou, and all parliamentary factions, was instrumental in refining the proposals under tight deadlines.

A Vision For Long-Term Growth

In conclusion, Minister Keravnos reassured both businesses and citizens that the newly established fiscal framework will serve as a foundation for a stable and growth-oriented tax system. This policy is expected to support long-term economic advancement, invigorate competitiveness, and safeguard the well-being of Cypriot families, ensuring that the nation remains steadfast on its path to modernity and prosperity.

Google Cloud Outage Disrupts Banking And Digital Services Across The UK

A power outage at a Google Cloud data centre near London disrupted services across the UK on Tuesday, affecting banks, businesses and other digital platforms. Google said the incident was caused by a power event at its cloud operations, with full recovery expected by around 1300 GMT.

The disruption began at 0608 GMT and affected Google Cloud services in the europe-west2 region, which is hosted in London. In an initial update, the company reported elevated error rates and intermittent network failures across multiple services as engineers worked to restore operations.

Banking Services Hit By The Disruption

Revolut was among the most visibly affected companies, with customers reporting problems with ATM withdrawals, bank transfers and card top-ups. A source close to the matter linked the issues to the Google Cloud outage.

Traditional banks also reported disruptions. Lloyds said some customers were experiencing problems with its app and online banking, while HSBC confirmed difficulties accessing its services. HSBC added that it was monitoring the situation and noted that other organisations were affected as well.

Disruption Spreads Beyond Finance

Downdetector, which tracks online service disruptions, recorded hundreds of reports involving other businesses, including property website Rightmove and the Royal Mail postal service. The reports suggested that the outage was affecting multiple parts of the UK’s digital economy.

The incident highlights the risks facing businesses that depend on shared cloud infrastructure. Even a temporary failure at a single provider can disrupt services across several sectors, from banking and payments to logistics and consumer platforms.

Companies Reassure Customers

Revolut said it had been working to resolve the issue since it was identified and apologised to affected customers. The company also confirmed that customers’ money and data remained safe.

As cloud platforms underpin an increasing share of digital commerce, the outage illustrates how disruptions to critical infrastructure can spread far beyond the provider itself, affecting businesses and customers across the economy.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Aretilaw firm
Uol
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter