The 55th Annual General Meeting of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry was crowned with success.
The official part of the Meeting, which convened at the Chamber premises in the evening of October 24, got under way with an address by the Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry & Tourism, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, who, aside from his references to encouraging signs in the Cyprus economy, commended the work of the Limassol Chamber.
There followed an address on behalf of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry President, read by CCCI Industry Vice President Christodoulos Angastiniotis. In addition to pinpointing the pluses and the minuses of the Cyprus economy at the present juncture, Mr. Angastiniotis described the Limassol Chamber’s contribution as particularly significant, not just at local level but also to the decision-making process of the Cyprus Chamber.
In his report to the Annual General Meeting, Limassol Chamber President Costas Galatariotis, having made concise reference to the state of the Cyprus economy, hailing the positive signs but cautioning at the same time against complacency as there was still a lot to be done on the way to economic recovery, proceeded with outlining the activities and initiatives of the Chamber in support of its members and with a view to promoting the development needs of Limassol.
Ne noted the registration of new members, as well as the Chamber’s constant contact with existing members, which included the possibility accorded to members to express their opinions and contribute to the formulation of government policy by means of the LCCI Business Barometer. He also referred to the active pursuit of participation in European Programmes, with a view to being able to offer additional services to members, noting at the same time that the Chamber is already participating in two such programmes.
Mr. Galatariotis also spoke of the Chamber initiatives at sectoral level, in the fields of Commerce, Industry, Services & Tourism, making special reference to the specific and well-documented proposal for a New Industrial Policy, as well as to the LCCI’s contribution to the holding in Limassol of international sports events (with an evident tourist dimension) such as the Limassol Marathon and the Cyprus Rally.
He described as particularly significant the Chamber’s cooperation with the All About Limassol portal, which operates under the LCCI’s auspices and provides round-the-clock information on what is to be found and what happens in Limassol, thanking, at the same time, the organisations and enterprises that provide financial backing to the whole venture.
Referring to the casino resort and to the decision of the interested investor to build it in Limassol, the Limassol Chamber President noted the sizeable benefits that are expected to ensue from this large investment, both at a local and national level, including the creation of a significant number of employment opportunities.
The Limassol Chamber President also made reference to the highly important field of innovation and to the actions initiated to this end by the relevant Chamber Committee. He hailed the cooperation with the Cyprus University of Technology, which was highlighted in a new, upgraded cooperation protocol signed between the two parties, while also noting a similar cooperation agreement signed with the Research Promotion Foundation. He also mentioned the Chamber’s interest in, and activities in support of. the Pentakomo Science & Technology Park.
He hailed the commercialisation of Limassol Port and the involvement of world-renowned investors, as well as the initiatives of the Transport Minister to facilitate the port infrastructure-wise, and the work of international companies active in Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone. He also expressed satisfaction with the completion of the new passenger terminal at Limassol Port as well as with the recent official opening of the revamped Limassol Old Port.
Mr. Galatariotis singled out the contribution of foreigners – investors, visitors and residents – to the local and national economy, noting relevant LCCI initiatives, including the operation of the LCCI-based Russian Desk, the holding of networking events especially for foreign business people, and the upcoming honouring of outstanding Limassol-based foreign entrepreneurs.
Regarding international relations, he pointed to the conclusion of a cooperation protocol with the Tel Aviv Chamber and the exchange of business delegations between the two Chambers which raise potentially very positive prospects.
Concluding his speech, Mr. Galatariotis referred to some optimistic messages emanating from the LCCI Business Barometer, hailing the creativity of Limassol entrepreneurship which, despite the economic crisis, has not given up an continues to turn out new tourist, residential and office projects. Outlining the potential of Limassol, resulting primarily from private sector initiatives and the beautification projects undertaken by Limassol Municipality, he emphasized that what Limassol expects from the state is really very little. He mentioned as such the creation of an artificial reef for diving purposes with the sinking of an unused oil platform, some very basic road network projects, the upgrading the Limassol archaeological museum, the complete clean-up of the former British Berengaria area at Polemidia as well as the implementation of absolutely essential sewage and flood-control schemes.
The AGM ended with an
honorary plaque being awarded to former LCCI Vice-President Spyros Spyrou in
recognition of his longstanding contribution to the Limassol Chamber.
