Issues of concern to the Limassol business community and to the Cyprus economy in general were discussed during a visit to the premises of the Limassol Chamber by the Limassol Committee of AKEL. Attending the meeting, which was initiated by AKEL, were President Costas Galatariotis, Commerce Vice President Andreas Tsouloftas and Board members Andreas Laos, Theodotos Anthousis and Athos Tilliris on behalf of the LCCI and AKEL Limassol Secretary George Georgiou and Limassol MPs Christos Mesis and Costas Costa.

Mr. Georgiou thanked the President and the LCCI Board for responding positively to the request for the meeting and added that the idea was to share, with the Chamber, an organization that plays a significant role in Limassol affairs, certain concerns about how things are going in the economic field.

Regarding the ongoing privatization of the management of Limassol port, the AKEL side expressed the view this would benefit the investor at the expense of Cyprus enterprises and of the economy in general, as port tariffs are likely to double and local companies currently servicing the port, such as suppliers and carriers, could become redundant.

Responding, LCCI President Galatariotis said this was a serious issue of particular concern to the business community. In addition to the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosting a meeting on port tariffs on November 23, the Limassol Chamber will host the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works on December 7, with a view to finding out how things really are. He noted that what is known so far is that tariffs will be restructured with a view to setting up a more simplified system but, in any case, the Limassol Chamber, voicing the concerns of its members, cannot acquiesce to any arrangement that could be detrimental to the business community.

On the part of AKEL, concerns were also raised about the problem of non-performing loans and the unavailability of adequate funds for development purposes, as a result of which the  development projects planned for 2016 are very limited indeed.

Mr. Galatariotis said the LCCI is also concerned about the slow pace of development projects and added that the expectation was that once Cyprus exits the existing loan agreement with its international lenders, the state will be in a position to sets aside funds to be channelled towards development projects.

The Limassol Chamber President also referred to the controversy surrounding shop opening hours, Sunday trading in particular, in view of the fact that the latest ministerial decree was due to expire shortly, and made clear that the LCCI would not accept any arrangement that discriminates against Limassol.