The request put forward urgently by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at a recent meeting in its offices, regarding the creation of a new industrial area or zone in the wider Limassol district, is currently under review, stated the relevant Minister, Mr. George Papanastasiou, to “Entrepreneurial Limassol”. Responding to our question, the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry noted that it is indeed true that the request was raised by the LCCI, due to increased demand for industrial plots in the district, both in existing industrial areas and industrial zones.
He added that what he personally undertook, in collaboration with the Ministry’s Department of Industry and Technology, during the broad meeting at the Chamber with Limassol’s industrial sector, was to examine the possibility of identifying new spaces, so that additional industrial plots could be allocated. “This matter is currently under review. We have neither reached a conclusion nor identified a suitable location yet. However, this is something we promised the LCCI we would examine and return with an answer,” concluded Mr. George Papanastasiou.
The Secretary/Director of LCCI, Ms. Anthia Papageorgiou, told “Entrepreneurial Limassol” that, following a suggestion by the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Mr. George Papanastasiou, the Chamber has undertaken to collect and record the problems faced by industrial areas, as well as proposals for improvements, with the aim of grouping and forwarding them to the Ministry for further action. Ms. Papageorgiou added that within September a meeting will be organized with the Presidents of Limassol’s Industrial Areas for this purpose.
The Vice-President of Industry at the Limassol Chamber, Mr. Vasos Demetriades, had previously stated to “Entrepreneurial Limassol” that for new investors interested in establishing industries, the lack of available plots in Limassol and the high land prices constitute significant obstacles. Mr. Demetriades pointed out that the existing industrial areas are either full or have extremely high prices due to strong demand. The only available industrial area in the district is that of Monagroulli. However, according to Mr. Demetriades, this area faces serious infrastructure and road network problems. He further noted that a study must be carried out for the creation of new industrial zones and industrial parks with proper infrastructure, which Cyprus and Limassol currently lack.
