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Government Submits Bill To Parliament On US Visa Waiver Conditions For Cypriots

The Cyprus government has submitted a bill to the House of Representatives plenary, aiming at meeting the necessary preconditions for the Republic of Cyprus to join the United States Visa Waiver Programme.

The bill which was approved by the Cabinet on 19 June, authorised the Minister of Justice and Public Order to present it to the House of Representatives for enactment.

The primary objective of this bill is to ratify the agreement, following Article 169.2 of the Constitution, between Cyprus and the US governments on travel information cooperation. This agreement was signed in Washington D.C., on June 17, 2024.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries in evaluating, reviewing, and exchanging travel information. It also aims to develop risk assessments to identify specific individuals travelling internationally, who may pose a security threat to either of the involved nations.

At present, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria are the only EU member states whose nationals still need a visa to enter the US.

UAE Job Trends For 2025: High-Demand And Lucrative Roles Revealed

The UAE’s flourishing asset management sector, bolstered by rising investor interest, regulatory advancements, and a surge in Family Offices and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), is driving demand for banking and finance talent.

Roles in fundraising and institutional sales are particularly sought after, with professionals in these fields highly valued for their regional networks and industry expertise, according to Michael Page’s UAE 2025 Salary Guides. The comprehensive report, which includes insights from 17 industries, offers an overview of current hiring trends, salary benchmarks, and the recruitment challenges businesses face.

Banking And Finance In High Demand

The report highlights a significant need for compliance professionals, especially those with experience in Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) regulations. Chief Compliance Officers and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) are among the most lucrative roles in the sector. Jon Ede, Regional Director UAE at Michael Page, pointed out that in 2024, the UAE’s workforce grew by 9%, and the number of new companies increased by 14.5%, showing the success of the nation’s strategic initiatives.

Sales, Marketing, And IT Growth

The sales and marketing sector has seen steady growth, especially in B2B industries like technology, real estate, energy, and logistics. Roles such as Business Development Manager, Chief Commercial Officer, and Strategic Sales Director are in demand, with a premium placed on business development, key account management, and communication skills.

The IT sector, meanwhile, continues to evolve rapidly, with high demand for positions like Head of Software Development, Full-Stack Software Engineer, Agile Product Manager, Senior DevOps Engineer, and Digital Adoption Specialist. The report underscores the significant shift in the UAE talent market for digital professionals in recent years.

Navigating The Skills Shortage

The study also highlights the growing skills shortage, with businesses grappling to find candidates with the right expertise. A staggering 37% of business leaders reported challenges in finding skilled talent, while nearly a third (30%) struggled with employee retention. Nearly half (48%) of employers also cited aligning salary expectations with candidates as a key obstacle.

Ede suggests that businesses can overcome these challenges by offering competitive packages that include benefits, career development opportunities, and workplace incentives, positioning themselves as attractive employers in the competitive UAE job market.

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