Daily Press Review - 23/10/2019

Top-shelf real estate auctions

Phileleftheros reports that the banks are intensifying their efforts to unload the properties they accumulated in debt-to-asset swaps. The article reports on the most expensive properties that the banks are adding on a daily basis. Apart from the plots and the cheap apartments, the banks are auctioning off properties worth more than €1m such as an apartment building and single houses in Nicosia. One of the properties that stands out is an independent residence in Ayios Andreas in Nicosia that is being auctioned off by Bank of Cyprus at the tentative price of €1,010,800. The article also reports that Hellenic Bank is auctioning off apartments and shops from the same building in Ayios Antonios. One of the most expensive properties is a ground-floor shop valued at €556,500, while one can also purchase unlimited development potential for the roof at the price of €435,000. Hellenic Bank is also auctioning off two apartments in Yermasoyia at €291,600 and €317,600 each as well as a two-storey house for €350,000. In Limassol’s Ayios Andreas area, Hellenic Bank is foreclosing a shop with a starting price of €321,200. In Larnaca Hellenic is auctioning off a plot in the Ayios Nicolaos area at the price of €337,600 and a building in Laranca for €282,000.



Remaining departures from BoC will be more targeted

BoC’s voluntary departure scheme has been extended to Tuesday 29 October with the same parameters that were valid before. Now, the scheme concerns six departments/Services. The circular that was sent out to the bank’s staff yesterday by the HR department, mentions that the Scheme will target the following departments: Task Force Factors, Collection Call Centre, mailroom, cheque clearing, warehouse. Due to the change in the bank’s operations, specific job positions will be reduced or abolished. For example, the sale of loans through Helix 1 and Helix 2, followed by the reduction in the volume of work in loan restructuring, means that the need to call and inform clients has been reduced. Moreover, cheques are cleared automatically, while the factoring service has transformed today. The Bank’s BoD which met on Monday was informed about the scheme’s applications as well as the internal changes/transfers that need to take place in order to cover gaps that could potentially be created in departments that have significant staff outflows.



PwC to conduct study on digital strategy

PwC was the successful bidder for the conduct of a study aimed at upgrading Cyprus’ digital strategy, which promises a huge development of technology, IT and communications in the coming years. The procurement process was published in the Official Government Gazette on 15/3/2019 and 7 offers were submitted on 23/5/2019. The agreement with the successful bidder was signed on 7/10/2019. The study by Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd will determine specific goals, measures, activities and a roadmap so that Cyprus can continue its swift transition into the digital era with and the usage of technologies, IT and communications.



Promotion of cruise tourism between Paphos-Alexandria

The promotion of cruise tourism as well as a direct air connection between Paphos and Alexandria were the main topics of discussion at a meeting between Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos and the Governor of Alexandria, Abdelaziz Konsowa, during an official visit of the former to Alexandria. According to an announcement by the Paphos municipality, the two discussed launching 6-8 cruises between Limassol port and Alexandria over the 2020 summer season, with representatives of the Alexandrian port authorities voicing their intention to provide a significant discount on port charges as an incentive. The two also decided to take joint initiatives to set up a direct air connection between the two towns. Phedonos and his delegation visited Alexandria as part of a cruise to the historical Egyptian town. This was the first cruise-ship to sail into Alexandria port for the past 10 years, which was especially appreciated by the town’s governor, as all cruises had been interrupted due to the political instability in the region.



Limassol Greens: Giant investment next to the casino-resort

The Lanitis Group has secured town-planning and building permits for a new investment worth millions of euros; the Limassol Greens project, which will be located near the under-construction casino-resort in Limassol, on an area of 1,400,000m². Based on the master plan, the project will include 495 luxury mansions and 233 apartments spanning 150,000m²; an 18-hole, high standard golf course; a 1,700m² Golf Club House; shops, restaurants and bars spanning 2,850m²; and a Wellness and Sports Centre, which will include indoor and outdoor pools, spa facilities, a gym, tennis and squash courts spanning 1,000m². The golf course is expected to be completed in two years, while construction on the luxury mansions is expected to begin soon, after some details have been ironed out to complete the company’s agreement with foreign investors. The project will be at a distance of 1km from the casino-resort, 2km from MyMall and Limassol port, and 500m from Fasouri Waterpark.



Russian frigates at Limassol port to refuel

A group of the Russian Baltic Fleet’s warships comprising the guard ship Yaroslav Mudry, the sea tug Viktor Konetsky and the tanker Yelnya, has sailed into Limassol port for refuelling and supplies ahead of a long-distance mission to the Indian Ocean, where they will take place in a Russian-Indian naval exercise, according to an announcement by the Baltic Fleet press office on Monday. The announcement said that the visit to Limassol port will be the fleet’s first stop and that it has covered over 7,000 nautical miles since heading off from the Baltic to the Mediterranean Sea. The purpose of the visit to Limassol will be to stock up on supplies, it said. Furthermore, the Russian sailors will get the chance to rest and take a small tour of the region. During their deployment, the group of the Baltic Fleet’s combat ships will take part for the first time in the naval component of the Indra-2019 Russian-Indian drills that will run in the Indian Ocean on December 10-19. The press office said that the warships are carrying anti-terror squads from the Baltic Fleet’s marine infantry force. The Indra-2019 drills will run at land and naval training ranges and at a military aerodrome of the Indian Armed Forces. About 300 troops from Russia’s Eastern Military District will take part in the drills.



Proceeding with the ‘white list’

The time to apply measures against Turkey’s unlawful actions in the Cyprus EEZ has come. The EU working group is in the process of obtaining the necessary approvals for the ‘white list’ (empty annex) on the basis of the terms of reference provided by the Council for targeted measures against legal and natural persons involved in the Cyprus EEZ illegal activities. According to Phileleftheros information, the team at Relex is working on the relevant drafts. The goal of the whole effort is that the drafts will be agreed by Relex, and subsequently approved by the Commission for adoption at the political level in November which is the goal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.



Five new Turkish Navtex in Cyprus EEZ and the Aegean

New Turkish NAVTEXs have committed large areas in the Cyprus EEZ, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean and will remain in force until 26 October. Continuing its challenges, Ankara will conduct exercises near Lemnos, Kastelorizo, as well as in a large part of the Cyprus EEZ.



Maximising the benefits of natural gas

Cyprus is moving to a new level in the field of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, and this is evident by the presence of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers at a hydrocarbons conference in Cyprus. The Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company (CHC) announces that on 29 October 2019 the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP), CHC and the Member of the European Parliament Mr. Costas Mavrides, under the patronage of the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, are organizing the Conference “From North Sea to Eastern Mediterranean: Collaborating to Maximize the Potential of Hydrocarbon Resources”. The aim of the conference is to bring together European National Oil & Gas Associations (NOIAs) and industry experts with policymakers and operators in the Eastern Mediterranean, to share success stories, challenges, and discuss how the right policy framework can help maximize the potential of the region’s oil and gas resources. Panelists will also discuss best practices in Safety, Environmental Permitting and Design Notification. The Conference is open to the media and public.



Hoteliers on hold over the fees and VAT

Hotel owners are looking at the growth of properties for short-term leases, such as Airbnb, with a competitive outlook, as they are well aware that the emerging market will soon force them to make changes to their own product. Though Kathimerini Economy reports that this is not going to be dealt with for the time being, as hoteliers are more focused on adjusting to the new state of affairs that has arisen from the collapse of Thomas Cook, but also the increased costs from the signing of the new collective agreement in the hotel industry. The main issue for hotel owners at the moment is the €35m shortfall from the uncollected funds from the British branch of Thomas Cook but also part of the German market. it had initially been thought that the cost would be in the range of €50m; however, it appears that the Scandinavian Thomas Cook will pay what’s due for July, August, September and October. The Cyprus Hotels Association (PASYXE) is seeking measures that will burden state coffers but lighten the load for the hotel industry, pointing out that other countries affected by Thomas Cook’s collapse have already adopted special packages. PASYXE is asking for hoteliers to be exempted from paying VAT on the uncollected amounts owed by Thomas Cook; a sum worth many thousands of euros and which will seriously impact on hotels’ liquidity, PASYXE president Harris Loizides tells Kathimerini. The hoteliers’ second request is to be exempted from paying overnight fees to the municipalities.



First test for tourism in London

The first test for the 2020 tourism season will take place in London. Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios and a delegation of hoteliers and tour operators will visit London in early November to attend the World Travel Market expo. The challenges of the coming year, including uncertainty over Brexit, Thomas Cook’s collapse and the rise of competitive destinations, have made industry stakeholders aware of the fact that they need to step up efforts to attract tourists. On the side-lines of the expo, which will take place on 4-6 November, Perdios as well as the hoteliers will hold meetings with a number of tour operators and airlines to feel out their intentions for 2020. Two major players have already laid their cards on the table for 2020. Jet2 has added a large number of flights to its schedule to bring Thomas Cook clients to Cyprus from the UK. And it intends to further boost its flight schedule to the island in the immediate future. And according to Phileleftheros’ sources, TUI is planning to significantly boost its presence, bringing thousands of tourists from Scandinavia and Russia. Meanwhile, Biblio Globus has not made any announcements yet, though it recently announced that it planned to increase its touristic schedule in Cyprus.



Thomas Cook should teach us a lesson

The European Commission is in contact with member states to assess the impact of British tour operator Thomas Cook’s bankruptcy on businesses, jobs and travelers affected, Marianne Thyssen, the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility said on Monday. Addressing the European Parliament plenary, in Strasbourg, Thyssen said that the Commission is deeply concerned by the recent insolvency case. Tourism is an important economic activity for the EU and contributes directly and indirectly 10% of its GDP, while employing more than 25 mln people or 11% of total EU employment, she added.



Stoiximan proudly sponsors the 3rd Radisson Blu International Marathon

Stoiximan, the biggest GameTech company in Greece and Cyprus and one of the fastest-developing companies of the sector in Europe with activities in Germany, Romania and Portugal will sponsor the Radisson Blu International Marathon in Larnaca for another year. Stoiximan supports this established event for the third year in a row, and will stand by the side of thousands of athletes who are expected to participate on the marathon that will be held on 17 November in Larnaca. With regards to the collaboration, the CEO of Radisson Blu, Costas Daltas said that “We are especially happy that a company like Stoiximan supports the Radisson Blue International Marathon in Larnaca for the third year in a row. Stoiximan is not only the biggest betting company in Greece and Cyprus, but has greatly supported sports, by sponsoring Olympic medallists like Lefteris Petrounias, Katerina Stephanide, Anna Korakaki and many other Greek athletes with worldwide awards.



Patients: Shortages and discrimination in GHS

Patients are mostly worried about two issues; pharmaceutical shortages and discrimination in services. Yesterday, the president of the patients’ rights advocates Marios Kouloumas said that patients’ complaints are mainly concerned with pharmaceutical shortages, discrimination between patients in the GHS and not being assisted at radiodiagnostic centres. “We believe that the pharmaceutical situation is slowly starting to smooth out. We’re receiving complaints that radiodiagnostic centres are discriminating among patients and the HIO is obliged to defend its beneficiaries.” Speaking to CNA, Mr. Kouloumas also stated that the organisation, in collaboration with the HIO, is planning a campaign informing about the abuses observed in the GHS. In regards to around 400 pharmaceuticals that were in the private sector but not the public sector, they were assessed and approved by the HIO’s Medicine Advisory Committee, except 40 medicines that are being re-assessed. He added that some companies choose not to include some medicines and that this situation also needs to be re-evaluated.



CCCI requests measures

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI/KEVE) is generally pleased with the first months of the GHS’ implementation, however they’ve identified a series of problems in the system’s operation. It expresses its concern about how some health service providers are operating, and says that in some cases some citizens are treated as “second-class citizens” and highlights the need to implement measures that protect the system and that both health professionals and beneficiaries need further training. The general secretary of CCCI Marios Tsiakkis called the HIO’s board of directors to convene as soon as possible, in order to discuss everything recorded until today and take immediate decisions in order to improve the situation.



State hospitals’ sustainability a priority

Yesterday, PASYKI held a meeting with the Solidarity Movement and discussed the issue of state hospitals’ sustainability. This meeting was held in the context of a series of meetings that PASYKI is conducting with parliamentary parties, in an attempt to push about the problems facing the public health sector. PASYKI’s president Sotiris Koumas, said they discussed various measures in view of the state hospitals’ sustainability and operation, as well as the issue of collaboration between state hospitals and the medical school of the University of Cyprus (UCY).



GHS: chemists send SOS

Owners of clinical laboratories are warning that if the GHS continues to record abuses in the beneficiaries’ referrals for lab tests, some laboratories will not be viable anymore and will be forced to shut down. Before the implementation of the new health system, there were approximately 1 million tests per month, in both the private and the public sector. However, since the implementation of the GHS, the number of tests has increased by almost 30%.





President is concerned with abuses in the GHS

Both the President and the Health Minister are greatly concerned with abuses in the GHS. Abuses, mainly in tests and examinations continue, despite the Government’s intention to limit this. The Government worries about the domino effect, mostly financial, in the GHS. The issue of abuses in the GHS, is being closely monitored by the President, demonstrating its intense will to overcome any current obstacles. The President gave direct orders to immediately implement measures.