Dear readers of Entrepreneurial Limassol,

We are all in the midst of a global crisis these days, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is affecting our country too, in terms of public health, but also in terms of the economy and entrepreneurial activity. A sizeable number of our members have already completely or partially suspended their work, since, especially at such hours, good health is quite rightly viewed and recognized as of supreme importance. The Limassol Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the rest of Cyprus business community, applaud government decisions to support employment and help businesses avoid staff reductions.

It is well known that the private sector, as in other difficult times for our country, has time and again supported the local economy and employment. It is something we experienced vividly after the financial crisis of 2013, with entrepreneurship playing a leading role in restoring our economy and dramatically reducing unemployment. The business sector will be called to do the same again, as we shall leave behind, hopefully soon, the current crisis. We at the Limassol Chamber are confident, that Cypriot entrepreneurship will once again be dynamically present, leading our country to the better days that will surely follow, after the current, unprecedented for the modern era, trial.

Dear friends,
I think it is understandable, that under the present circumstances, it would not be possible, , for Entrepreneurial Limassol to come out in the form it had in all its previous editions, with a variety of topics (interviews, business profiles, activities and events of the Limassol Chamber and our partners).

We are, however, actively participating in our country’s effort to cope with the current crisis:
(a) Having considered ways to support in a tangible way our health service’s effort to win the battle against COVID-19, we have decided to contribute, in kind, €25.000 worth of medical equipment, for the needs of the COVID19-related intensive care unit of the Limassol General Hospital, equipment that will outlive the pandemic.
(b) Having for a long time the conviction that our economy is in need of doing away with its excessive dependence on tourism and land development, and that it is absolutely necessary to also concentrate on research and innovation, we have decided and put together a scheme to encourage and promote start-ups, one that will include the provision of various services, as well as the possibility participation in such ventures. This scheme will be announced as soon as the circumstances warrant.
(c) We offer our members all assistance they need, on a daily basis, at this particularly difficult juncture.

Dear friends,
We are concluding today’s communication with an interesting article on the measures that the European Parliament has adopted to address the current crisis and a brief presentation, of our allaboutlimassol.com portal, Staying Home… Planning for the Future, always bearing in mind the day after the crisis.

I wish you all a Happy Easter and best health to you and your families.

Costas Galatariotis