Republic of Cyprus Emblem
Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Stockholm

Economy


For the latest developments regarding the economy and the banking sector in Cyprus, you may visit the following websites of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Cyprus:

http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/mof.nsf/index_en/index_en?OpenDocument

http://www.centralbank.gov.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1&lang=en



Basic Economic Characteristics


The economy of Cyprus can generally be characterised as small, open and dynamic, with services constituting its engine power. Since the accession of the country to the European Union on 1st of May 2004, its economy has undergone significant economic and structural reforms that have transformed the economic landscape. Ιnterest rates have been liberalised, while price controls and investment restrictions have been lifted with a full liberalisation of the foreign direct investment regime in Cyprus. Moreover, other wide-ranging structural reforms have been promoted, covering the areas of competition, the financial sector and the enterprise sector.

The services sector is the fastest growing area and accounted for about 80,5% of GDP in 2011. This development reflects the gradual restructuring of the Cypriot economy from an exporter of minerals and agricultural products in the period 1961-73 and an exporter of manufactured goods in the latter part of the 1970s and the early part of the 80s, to an international tourist, business and services centre during the 1980s, 1990s and the 2000s. The secondary sector (manufacturing) accounted for around 17,1% of GDP in 2011. The primary sector (agriculture and fishing) is continuously shrinking and only reached 2,4% of GDP in 2011.

The economy of Cyprus is open, as shown by the share of total imports and exports to GDP being around 90% in 2011. The major trading partners of Cyprus are the EU member-states, especially Greece and the United Kingdom.

The private sector, which is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, has a leading role in the production process. On the other hand, the government's role is mainly to support the private sector and regulate the markets in order to maintain conditions of macroeconomic stability and a favourable business climate, via the creation of the necessary legal and institutional framework and secure conditions of fair competition.

During the last years, Cyprus has exhibited rising living standards, as shown by the high level of real convergence with the EU. The per capita GDP stood at around 99% of the average for the EU27 in 2010.



Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy

Cyprus’ accession to the euro area on 1 January 2008 had the immediate result of losing its monetary policy autonomy. The Central Bank of Cyprus has become part of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), which, together with the European Central Bank (ECB), conducts monetary policy for the whole Eurozone, based on conditions prevailing in this region.



For further information and updates please refer to:

Central Bank: www.centralbank.gov.cy
Ministry of Finance: www.mof.gov.cy
Planning Bureau: www.planning.gov.cy
Inland Revenue Department: www.mof.gov.cy/ird
Department of Registar of Companies and Official Receiver: www.mcit.gov.cy/drcor
Department of Merchant Shipping: www.shipping.gov.cy





Related Files:
Cyprus An International Business and Services Centre.pdf
This file requires Acrobat Reader to open (Size: 796.04Kb)
Cyprus The Road Ahead.pdf
This file requires Acrobat Reader to open (Size: 3059.56Kb)


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