Cyprus courts its global diaspora as the Forum positions the island as a global investment hub

The third Cyprus Diaspora Forum, May 6 to May 9, kicked disconnected Thursday greeting successful Limassol. A cardinal purpose of the planetary forum is to nexus the Cypriot diaspora with Cyprus and to showcase Cyprus arsenic a concern and concern destination.

In his welcome code astatine the opening ceremony—Cyprus Diaspora Forum laminitis Paul Lambis said that Cyprus has evolved into a dynamic concern hub offering galore concern and employment opportunities for some Cypriots successful Cyprus and the diaspora. The opening was attended by the US Ambassador and the Australian High Commissioner.

While the Cypriot Government continues to strengthen the island’s system and strategic positioning, Lambis said, it was “important for diaspora Cypriots to support this effort done their ain networks by promoting the state arsenic a concern and concern destination”.

Lambis said that the Forum brings together Cypriot diaspora communities, salient figures from the nationalist and backstage sectors, media, academia, civilian society, and friends of Cyprus, while besides highlighting the work of some the backstage and nationalist sectors.

“Diaspora Cypriots person contributed to our country’s economical and taste beingness for galore years, promoting it successful the countries where they unrecorded and work,” helium said, noting that the Cyprus Diaspora Forum is ultimately “a level for everyone.”

“We’re connecting diaspora Cypriots, the section community, and friends of Cyprus done this important event, which chiefly aims to heighten our estimation arsenic a top concern destination,” helium added.

The diaspora is simply a unit for Cyprus during a clip of determination uncertainty

Limassol Mayor Nikos Nicolaides welcomed the delegates, and described the Cyprus Diaspora Forum arsenic 1 that brings together “the astir vital, astir important, astir precious portion of what Cyprus is today—our expats.”

“It brings together diaspora Cypriots and connects them with the broader Cypriot assemblage and friends of Cyprus,” helium said.

In a notation to the onslaught connected the British bases by Iran astatine the tallness of the Iran, US, Israel war, helium said “We’re surviving successful a play where our state faces captious issues, and we request each the assistance and unifying forces we tin muster.”

He said that Limassol is simply a “multicultural, outward-looking city” that successful caller years has go “the gateway welcoming radical from different countries,” with important socio-economic enactment crossed energy, shipping, trade, industry, entrepreneurship, world excellence, probe and technology, culture, and more.

Nicolaides expressed assurance the Forum’s proceedings would beryllium successful and go an yearly institution, inviting attendees to the Limassol Carnival festivities opening the pursuing day.

Investment and finance

Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Giorgos Theocharides spoke astir the Commission’s relation and responsibilities, highlighting the value attached to the concern funds sector.

“As successful different European countries, 1 of the main issues is that astir financing comes from the banking sector, which has some difficulties successful backing the system to the grade required,” helium said.

“We so request these alternate forms of financing, which is why we strongly believe—as does the Government—that the concern funds assemblage tin service arsenic this alternate financing source.”

Former Presidential Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Fotis Fotiou besides addressed the opening ceremony, praising the work and contributions of diaspora Cypriots successful advancing the country’s interests abroad.

Forum program

Day One examined the relation of diaspora Cypriots, hospitality, tourism, and wellness and wellness. Thursday’s sessions focused connected media, civilization and the arts, the movie and television industry, sport, and literature.

Friday’s docket covered education, philanthropy, planetary relations, economics, ineligible services, energy, and the shipping industry. Saturday’s programme looks astatine existent estate, the aboriginal of companies, and entrepreneurship.

A cross-sector platform

The Forum is Cyprus’s astir broad cross-sector platform, that brings together leaders from business, government, academia, finance, technology, culture, and innovation. It attracts decision-makers arsenic well arsenic those looking to beryllium portion of the imaginable maturation of Cyprus.

Each year, the lawsuit draws strong involvement from planetary investors who are:

· Considering relocating to Cyprus

· Seeking investments successful section businesses and franchises

· Partnering with Cypriot companies expanding internationally

· Integrating precocious technologies into fiscal and operational systems

For participants, this means much than exposure—it means nonstop entree to meaningful partnerships and high-value connections.

Repatriation is besides a cardinal theme, successful collaboration with the government’s Minds successful Cyprus initiative, which encourages talented Cypriots overseas to instrumentality and lend to nationalist development.

Lambis said that the forum reflects “a planetary question that transforms practice into opportunity, connects generations done shared values, and positions Cyprus arsenic a hub for innovation, culture, and collaboration.”

A planetary assemblage with existent impact

Previous events person attracted thousands of participants from astir the world—entrepreneurs, investors, returning diaspora professionals, and planetary partners who person chosen Cyprus arsenic a spot to live, work, and invest.

The Forum continues to strengthen economical and diplomatic ties with cardinal regions worldwide, including the Gulf and MENA region, India, Australia, Central Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. Strategic discussions besides analyse the imaginable economical and geopolitical implications of Cyprus joining the Schengen Zone.

The Cypriot Diaspora successful numbers

A planetary dispersed federation of Cyprus lives overseas. According to figures Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos shared with Parliament, the Cypriot diaspora numbers astir 760,000. Based connected the 2021 census, 719,252 Cypriots reside successful Cyprus, comprising 77.9% of the population.

Below are some cardinal figures:

Great Britain, 350,000–450,000: Australia & New Zealand, 80,000: United States, 70,000–80,000: Greece, 70,000: Canada, 35,000, South Africa, 35,000: Europe, 5,000: and the remainder of Africa, 5,000.

According to the 2021 Census—final results released successful August 2024—the total colonisation successful government-controlled areas of Cyprus arsenic of 1 October 2021 was 923,381, of whom 719,252 (77.9 per cent) were Cypriots.