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OPAP Cyprus Announces New CEO And Board Of Directors

OPAP Cyprus has appointed Alexandros Davos as the new CEO, effective immediately. Davos joined the company in June 2023 as General Commercial Director and took on managerial responsibilities in January 2024, significantly contributing to the company’s operations.

Alongside this appointment, OPAP Cyprus has restructured its Board of Directors, welcoming new members to support the company’s future endeavours, particularly following the recent 15-year concession agreement with the Cypriot government. The board now includes Kamil Ziegler as President and members Jan Karas, Maki Georgiou, Christos Pitta, Fotis Zisimopoulos, Elias Katsaros, Petros Xarchakos, and Panos Gavriil.

In his new role, Davos is expected to drive strategic initiatives and leverage his commercial expertise to further enhance OPAP Cyprus’ market position. The company’s decision to refresh its leadership team reflects a broader strategy to adapt to evolving market conditions and regulatory environments.

The company expressed gratitude to the outgoing board members, Charalambos Christou and Isidoros Makridis, for their dedicated service and contributions. Their tenure saw substantial developments within OPAP Cyprus, setting a solid foundation for the new leadership to build upon.

This leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for OPAP Cyprus as it navigates the complexities of the gaming industry and seeks to expand its footprint within the region. The new board members bring a wealth of experience and a diverse set of skills that are anticipated to drive innovation and operational excellence.

As OPAP Cyprus embarks on this new chapter, the company’s stakeholders and market observers will be keenly watching how these changes will influence its strategic direction and performance in the competitive gaming sector.

The appointment of Davos and the refreshed board is a strategic move designed to align the company with its long-term goals, ensuring sustainable growth and continued success in the Cypriot market.

Industry Uproar Over Reduction in Electric Vehicle Subsidies

The recent move by the government to curtail subsidies for electric vehicles has stirred significant discontent among car importers in Cyprus. The Department of Road Transport (DRT) has slashed available grants under the Electric Vehicle Promotion Scheme as of April 23, leading to a rapid depletion of the subsidy pool and leaving many potential applicants disappointed.

Importers’ Concerns

According to the Cyprus Motor Vehicle Importers Association (CMVIA), the lack of transparency and failure to engage stakeholders prior to the decision have eroded trust in the government’s commitments. Importers now find themselves facing a precarious situation, with substantial stocks of electric vehicles and mounting promotional expenditures.

Public Interest and EU Compliance

Although the scheme aimed to support the transition to zero-emission transport until 2025, the DRT states that the curtailing of funds was necessary to comply with European funding terms, which warned against delays in vehicle deliveries. This decision has fueled market uncertainty despite the application portal experiencing dynamic changes.

Industry’s Ongoing Demand

The CMVIA refutes any claims suggesting waning interest in electric vehicles, underscoring the rapid exhaustion of available grants as proof of substantial demand. They highlight the importance of meeting Cyprus’s green transition targets, including putting 80,000 electric vehicles on roads by 2030.

While the total budget for subsidies saw an increase to €36.5 million in 2023, thanks to additional funding, ongoing difficulties in timely vehicle distribution have led to premature closures of applications. In response, CMVIA has called for urgent dialogue with the Minister of Transport to reassess the decision, fearing that it could endanger the future of e-mobility in Cyprus.

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