Breaking news

Modernizing Land Administration: Government Unveils Significant Reforms

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

In a decisive move to enhance administrative efficiency, Cyprus’ Ministry of Interior has embarked on a transformative initiative set to overhaul the Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS) by 2026. This comprehensive reform aims to modernize procedures, simplify basic services, and promote transparent, sustainable real estate management.

Reimagining Real Estate Management

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou underlined the government’s objective to rationalize land administration practices. Central to this effort is a restructured method for calculating transfer fees. Traditionally determined by comparative sales, the existing model often led to discrepancies and disputes. The proposed shift to basing fees on declared prices, consistent with taxation standards, is expected to foster greater transparency and provide early cost certainty for buyers, while still allowing for market assessments when necessary.

Embracing Digital Transformation

The reform strategy also includes a robust digitalization plan. Approximately 150 forms used by the Land Registry will be redesigned and incrementally transitioned to an online platform. Accompanied by detailed guides and standardized templates for essential documents, such as powers of attorney and inheritance certificates, this digital push is designed to reduce bureaucratic delays, lower operational costs, and lessen the administrative burden on both citizens and staff.

Resolving Long-Standing System Challenges

Addressing historical inefficiencies is a key component of the reform. The longstanding backlog related to co-owned indivisible properties and right-of-way applications—where nearly 1,700 cases remain unresolved—will be targeted with new procedures. Initiatives include establishing a unified auction system, revising payment terms, and creating specialized teams for access requests to accelerate processing times and support real estate development.

Enhancing State Land Oversight

Parallel legislative efforts aim to modernize state land management, introducing clearer leasing criteria, stricter regulatory oversight, and potentially competitive bidding for leases. This initiative is designed to ensure that state properties are leased under fair market conditions, safeguarded against underpriced allocations, and managed with enhanced transparency.

Collectively, these reforms are set to redefine the operational landscape of Cyprus’ land administration, ensuring that modern, streamlined, and transparent practices underpin critical government services.

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Aretilaw firm
eCredo
Uol

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter