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Streamlined Procedures For Workers From Third Countries Boost Cyprus’s Tourism Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus has made significant strides in expediting the process for granting work permits to nationals from third countries, particularly benefiting its vital tourism sector. Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou announced that over 95% of applications related to the tourism industry had been processed by the end of May, ensuring full staffing for the peak summer season. This improvement has reduced processing times from over five months to less than two, thanks to enhanced IT systems and international agreements.

The tourism industry in Cyprus relies heavily on seasonal workers, and delays in work permit processing have historically caused staffing shortages, impacting service quality and business operations. The new streamlined procedures ensure that the sector can meet demand, maintaining high standards of service for tourists and supporting the broader economy.

Minister Panayiotou noted that this efficiency boost is part of a broader initiative to improve the labour market’s functionality and responsiveness. The implementation of upgraded IT systems plays a crucial role in this effort, enabling faster application processing and better resource allocation. Additionally, Cyprus has engaged in bilateral agreements with several countries to facilitate the recruitment of foreign workers, further enhancing the labour supply for the tourism industry.

These improvements reflect Cyprus’s commitment to bolstering its tourism sector, a critical component of the nation’s economy. By ensuring a steady and timely influx of workers, the country can better manage the seasonal influx of tourists and maintain its reputation as a premier travel destination. The enhanced processes not only benefit the tourism industry but also contribute to overall economic stability and growth by addressing labour market needs more effectively.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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