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Limassol Businesses Secure €11.7 Million In Anad Funding

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 14, 2026

The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (Anad) disbursed €11.7 million to businesses in Limassol between the beginning of 2025 and the end of the first half of 2026, highlighting the district’s strong participation in workforce training and employment support programmes.

Limassol Accounts For A Large Share Of Training Activity

According to figures provided by Anad to Entrepreneurial Limassol, the publication of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), the data covers programmes for which payments had already been completed.

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More than 2,625 businesses in Limassol took part in Anad training schemes during the period, representing nearly one-third of the 8,261 participating companies across Cyprus. Participation was particularly strong in multi-company training programmes, with 11,967 participants from Limassol out of 54,754 nationwide.

Another 674 businesses implemented single-company training programmes tailored to their own workforce, while 257 companies benefited from schemes supporting the recruitment of university graduates and the placement of long-term unemployed people.

Skills Demand Continues To Grow

Speaking at a recent Anad event in Limassol, chairman Constantinos Fellas described the city as one of Cyprus’ most dynamic business centres, pointing to continued growth in services, shipping, trade, tourism, financial services and technology. He said the district’s expanding economy is increasing demand for workers with up-to-date skills and stressed the importance of aligning education and training with labour market needs.

Full Employment Brings New Challenges

Anad Director General Pambos Efstratiou said the employment rate among people aged 20 to 64 has reached 81%, while unemployment has fallen to 4%, its lowest level in recent years. Long-term unemployment has dropped to 0.9%, bringing Cyprus close to full employment.

Youth unemployment, however, remains comparatively high at 13.5%, with Anad continuing to support programmes that help young people enter the labour market. Efstratiou also highlighted lifelong learning as a growing priority, noting that only 12% of adults aged 25 to 64 currently participate in education or training programmes.

He said digitalisation, artificial intelligence, demographic change and the green transition are reshaping the labour market, making continuous skills development increasingly important for both employees and businesses. The event also brought together businesses and social partners to discuss future workforce development priorities and training needs in Cyprus.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.