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Larnaca’s €130 Million Revitalisation Plan To Transform The City Over The Next Two Years

Larnaca is set to undergo a significant transformation with over €130 million worth of development projects scheduled for completion in the next two years. These initiatives follow the collapse of a €1.2 billion port and marina project in 2024, marking a shift in the city’s future planning.

At the heart of the transformation is a new public university faculty dedicated to marine sciences, technology, and sustainable development, valued at €20 million. This project, funded by the government and the EU, is poised to reshape the area near the old Larnaca airport, pending cabinet approval in 2025.

The city’s marina will also be revamped, with a €30 million renovation plan that includes dredging works set to begin in 2025. The municipality will soon launch an architectural competition for a new yacht club building and landscaping, with construction slated to start next year. Meanwhile, the Centre of Marine and Maritime Research Innovation (CMMI) will manage the facility temporarily until an investor is identified.

Several other projects are set to boost the city’s infrastructure and quality of life. Among them are the Tsiakkilero refugee settlement recreation park (€2.3m), Pattichion Park (€6.7m), and an elderly care home (€6m), all expected to be completed this year, alongside flood channel improvements in Livadia (€3.8m).

Looking ahead, four major projects totaling €34.6 million will break ground this year and be finished by 2026. Notably, a €23 million sustainable urban mobility plan will introduce park-and-ride facilities and cycling lanes, alongside the renovation of Livadia’s core area (€3.6m) and the historic Agios Ioannis quarter (€8m).

The commercial center’s €13.3 million transformation is progressing well, with work on historic squares and pedestrian zones expected to be completed by late 2026. Additionally, the €17 million third phase of the Larnaca-Dhekelia road project is on track to be finished next year.

However, three significant projects worth €18.5 million are facing delays, including the old hospital conversion (€10.5m), the Archaeological Park (€4m), and the Salt Lakes Environmental Information Centre (€4m), the latter of which is slated to begin in 2027.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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