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Services And Transport Activity In Cyprus Increases During Q1 2026

Data from the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) show higher turnover across several service sectors during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Overview Of Q1 Performance

Several key sectors recorded annual growth during the quarter. Accommodation and food service activities increased by 3.9%, while transport and storage activities rose by 3.5%. Professional, scientific and technical activities recorded a growth of 3.0%, and real estate activities increased by 2.8%.

Sector Highlights And Detailed Analysis

Within the transport sector, air transport recorded the strongest annual increase, rising 21.3% year-on-year. Land transport and pipeline activities grew by 7.3%, while warehousing and support services increased by 2.9%. Water transport and postal and courier activities moved in the opposite direction, declining by 1.0% and 0.7% respectively.

Breaking Down The Index Levels

Information and communication recorded the highest index level at 184.2 points, compared with 184.0 points in the first quarter of 2025. Administrative and support service activities, professional, scientific and technical services, real estate activities, and transport and storage also reported higher index levels than a year earlier.

Sub-Sector Dynamics And Annual Trends

Annual data also pointed to continued growth in accommodation and food service activities. The sector recorded an increase of 9.5% in 2025, with accommodation services rising by 10.3% and food and beverage service activities increasing by 8.8%. Information service activities and several categories within professional, scientific and technical services also recorded annual gains compared with the previous year.

Implications And Future Outlook

The turnover index, which uses 2021 as its base year, measures changes in current-price turnover across key sectors of the economy. Performance varied across sectors, including telecommunications, publishing and management consultancy services, highlighting differences in turnover trends across the broader services economy. Detailed datasets and methodology are available through the Cyprus Statistical Service.

Italy And Cyprus Deepen Maritime Cooperation With Limassol Business Forum

Italy and Cyprus are stepping up cooperation in shipping, port development and maritime investment, with a business forum in Limassol bringing together policymakers, shipowners and industry leaders to explore new commercial opportunities.

The Italy-Cyprus Maritime Business Forum, organised by the Italian Embassy in Nicosia, will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at the DP World Cruise Terminal in Limassol. Discussions will focus on sustainable ports, shipping regulation and international maritime corridors, with three panels connecting public-sector priorities with private investment and industry expertise.

A Strategic Partnership For Maritime Growth

The forum aims to strengthen ties between shipowners, ship managers, shipyards, port operators, insurers and maritime service providers in the two countries, with a focus on infrastructure, technology and investment.

Shipping accounts for about 7% of Cyprus’ GDP, while the wider blue economy contributes roughly 25%, according to figures cited by the organisers. Beyond shipping, the sector includes coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, making maritime development an important part of Cyprus’ broader economic strategy.

Italy offers complementary strengths in shipbuilding, maritime logistics and insurance. Its shipbuilding exports exceeded €5 billion in 2025, while Italian companies accounted for 56% of global superyacht orders by volume and 36% by value.

Together, the two countries bring different but complementary capabilities: Cyprus as an international shipping hub and Italy as a major source of industrial expertise, maritime technology and shipbuilding capacity.

From Maritime Links To Commercial Opportunities

Italian ambassador to Cyprus Antonella Cavallari said the two countries should use their longstanding maritime ties to build a broader economic partnership.

“The sea has always connected Italy and Cyprus, and today it can become the engine of an even more ambitious economic partnership,” she said.

Cavallari said the forum is intended to turn this potential into practical projects, including partnerships between companies, ports and port cities, while exploring future trade routes such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Focus On Sustainable Ports And Shipping

The opening panel will examine how ports can support economic development while meeting European environmental requirements and integrating more effectively with surrounding cities.

A second session will focus on shipping management, regulatory compliance, maritime safety and industry best practices, bringing together representatives from shipowners, ship management companies, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and DP World Limassol.

The final panel will turn to international maritime cooperation and investment in ports and terminals, with particular attention to emerging shipping corridors and IMEC.

Cyprus’ Role In IMEC

Cyprus’ position within the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will be among the key topics of the final discussion. The initiative aims to improve connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe and could create new opportunities for ports and logistics hubs across the region.

Rona Panteli, Cyprus’ IMEC representative and head of the Connectivity Unit at the Foreign Ministry, will join the discussion alongside representatives of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, Cyprus Ports Authority, Invest Cyprus and the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

Building A Broader Maritime Ecosystem

Beyond the formal panels, the forum is designed to connect Italian and Cypriot businesses and encourage partnerships across shipping, logistics and maritime services.

The event is organised with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), Invest Cyprus, the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel) and the Cyprus-Italy Business Association.

DP World and Limassol Municipality are supporting the event, which is being held under the auspices of the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

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