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High-Powered European Business Leaders Convene In Nicosia Ahead Of Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency

European business titans have descended on Nicosia for BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents, signaling a strategic pivot as Cyprus readies itself for its EU Council Presidency in 2026. This prestigious event, hosted by the employers and industrialists federation OEV (OEV), underscores the region’s determination to streamline regulatory frameworks and spur economic growth.

Strategic Engagement At The Presidential Palace

The high-level gathering, which includes presidents from 42 employer federations representing 36 nations, commenced with a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides (Presidency of Cyprus) at the Presidential Palace. The evening continued with an official dinner in his presence, cementing the event’s significance in fostering dialogue between government and business.

Focused Dialogue On Economic Modernization

At the upcoming sessions set for Friday at Hilton Nicosia, discussions are poised to address a range of critical topics. Among these are the imperatives of reducing bureaucracy, bolstering competitiveness, and mitigating energy costs. OEV President George Pantelides, who also serves as a vice-president of BusinessEurope (BusinessEurope), stressed that excessive regulation remains one of the most inhibiting factors for the union’s economy.

Exploring Sustainable And Competitive Economic Strategies

The comprehensive agenda extends to examining the strategic priorities for Cyprus’ forthcoming EU Presidency. In addition to debates on innovative practices for a sustainable economy, the summit will scrutinize broader international relations, including geopolitical instability and the restructuring of global transport networks. Notably, the shipping sector—a cornerstone of both the European and Cypriot economies—will receive particular attention.

Embracing The Green Transition And Technological Advances

Further discussions are set to explore the evolving demands of the green transition. With the push for zero emissions and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, business leaders are tasked with aligning regulatory reforms with the imperatives of sustainable progress. European fisheries commissioner Costas Kadis is expected to contribute to these discussions, adding further depth to the summit’s multifaceted agenda.

This landmark summit not only reflects the collaborative spirit of European business leadership but also highlights the proactive measures required to foster an environment conducive to innovation and sustained growth. With Cyprus at the helm as it approaches its 2026 EU Presidency, the dialogue is set to shape policy reforms that could reverberate across the continent.

Nearly 80% Of Cyprus’ Foreign Investment Came From Outside EU In 2025

Cyprus had the highest share of foreign direct investment (FDI) originating outside the European Union among 14 EU member states reporting data for 2025. According to Eurostat, non-EU economies accounted for 79.4% of the island’s inward FDI, highlighting its distinct position among the reporting countries.

The figures contrast with most other EU economies, where investment from within the bloc remains the main source of foreign capital.

Cyprus Leads In Non-EU Investment Share

Eurostat measures inward FDI positions by the ultimate investing economy, identifying the economy where the investment ultimately originates rather than only the country through which it is channelled. This distinction is important when investments involve subsidiaries or intermediary holding companies.

In nine of the 14 reporting countries, most foreign investment came from within the EU. The Czech Republic recorded the highest intra-EU share, at 75.1%, followed by Romania at 73.3% and Estonia at 64.8%.

Cyprus was among five countries where non-EU economies accounted for more than half of inward FDI. Spain, Sweden, Greece and Denmark also recorded shares above 50%, ranging from 51% to 55.1%.

US Is The Largest Source Of FDI Across Reporting Countries

Across the 14 countries collectively, the United States was the largest ultimate source of foreign direct investment, accounting for 15.4% of the total.

Germany ranked second at 11.5%, followed by France at 9.4%, the United Kingdom at 9.3% and Switzerland at 5.8%.

These figures reflect the combined investment positions of the reporting countries and do not identify Cyprus’s leading individual investment sources. However, the country-level data underline the island’s strong reliance on capital originating outside the European Union.

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