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President Christodoulides Announces 2025 Budget Surplus, Prioritises Economic Strength And Social Reforms

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 9, 2024

In a bold economic declaration, Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides revealed a budget surplus forecast for 2025 during a recent Cabinet meeting. This announcement underscores the government’s strategic focus on fiscal responsibility, strong financial systems, and comprehensive reforms.

Strategic Fiscal Management

President Christodoulides emphasised the critical need for meticulous budget management across ministries. He called for a detailed review of each ministry’s budget to categorise non-negotiable operational costs alongside social and developmental expenses. The intent is to ensure every ministry aligns its priorities with the overarching budget ceilings, promoting efficient utilisation of resources.

Pillars of Economic Strength

The proposed surplus is built upon three foundational pillars: fiscal discipline, a robust financial system, and aggressive reforms. This approach aims to solidify Cyprus’ economic resilience, fostering a stable environment conducive to sustainable growth and development.

Social and Developmental Focus

Central to the budget are the “flagship policies” targeting digital transformation, climate change, and addressing infertility, reflecting a holistic approach to national development. The government’s commitment to a “social contract” with its citizens is evident, promising enhanced social spending and developmental initiatives.

Transparent and Inclusive Governance

In a bid to maintain transparency and public engagement, President Christodoulides has mandated that each ministry publicly present its budget and outline specific actions and reforms. This move is designed to ensure that the annual budget reflects both the President’s vision and the governance programme’s priorities.

Supporting the Middle Class

Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis highlighted that the budget will particularly focus on supporting the middle class. The detailed presentations from the Ministries of Labour and Social Insurance, Energy, Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, and various Deputy Ministries reflect a comprehensive approach to policy implementation.

Interest rates on housing loans up and down on deposits

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 4, 2024

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.