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Larnaca’s €30 Million Development Projects Stalled Amid Licensing Dispute

The city of Larnaca faces significant delays in the execution of crucial infrastructure projects worth €30 million due to a licensing standoff with Kition Ocean Holdings Ltd. Local authorities demand that these mature projects be prioritised over the broader development of the port and marina, citing pending directives from Kition’s legal team.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades assured StockWatch that the government remains committed to executing these projects before the larger port and marina developments, pending a resolution with Kition. This includes paying the €800,000 owed by Kition for various planning and building permits.

These mature projects include upgrading the deteriorating marina, repairing the pier, and developing essential facilities such as the yacht club, police and customs offices, and government buildings for passport control. Additionally, plans include creating retail spaces, restaurants, green areas, and sports facilities to enhance the marina’s attractiveness.

Mayor Andreas Vyras stressed the urgency of decoupling these projects from Kition to expedite their implementation using state funds. The President of Cyprus has pledged to find a solution to liberate these projects from the current impasse and ensure their swift execution.

Minister Vafeades is finalising a report outlining all potential development scenarios with their respective pros, cons, and timelines. This report will be reviewed by the President, who will decide the optimal path forward for the development of Larnaca’s port and marina.

Interest rates on housing loans up and down on deposits

Cypriot banks raised mortgage rates in August while cutting interest on one-year deposits for households, according to data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).

Meanwhile, the total value of new loans dropped sharply in August, falling by 33 per cent compared to July.

The latest figures, published on Wednesday reveal that the interest rate for short-term deposits by households fell to 1.79 per cent, from 1.96 per cent in July. In contrast, the deposit rate for businesses (non-financial companies) travelled in the opposite direction up to 2.33 per cent in August from 2.28 per cent in the previous month.

Consumer loan rates also saw a small decline, dropping to 6.59 per cent from 6.67 per cent in the previous month. Mortgage rates rose marginally to 4.65 per cent, from 4.59 per cent.

Rates for businesses, on loans €1 million also fell to 5.36 per cent from 5.61 per cent. For loans

above €1 million the rate fell to 5.42 per cent from 5.64 per cent.

In terms of new loans, there was a marked drop across the board. Total new loans fell to €395.5 million, down from €596.3 million in July.

Consumer loans also fell with net new loans at €19m, compared to July’s €28m (€26.1m net).

Loans for house purchases also declined significantly, falling to €95.6m, of which €72.3m were net new loans, down from €134.3m (€100.7m net) in July.

New loans of under a million euro to businesses decreased to €52.8m (€34.1m net), down from €75.5m in July (€49.5m net).

Similarly, loans of over a million euros were halved to €179.3m (€78.3m net), compared to €345.2m (€211.8m net) in the previous month.

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