Category: Cyprus News Agency

A slight slowdown in growth of 2.0% on an annual basis was recorded in October 2025 by the Cyprus Composite Leading Economic Index (CCLEI), which is compiled and estimated by the Economics Research Centre (ERC) of the University of Cyprus, showing a steady annual growth rate, which, according to the Centre, indicates that “the Cypriot economy continues on a positive course, amid geopolitical turmoil and increased economic uncertainty.”

This rise, as announced by the ERC on Wednesday, follows annual increases of 2.0% in September, 2.1% in August, and 2.2% in July 2025, according to the latest revised data.

It is noted that in October 2025, the Index showed a steady annual growth rate, reflecting the relative balance between positive and negative trends in the individual indicators.

It is also stated that the strengthening of the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) in Cyprus and the euro area, combined with the positive trend in tourist arrivals, retail trade and real estate sales, as well as the decline in the price of Brent crude oil, contributed to the growth of the Index.

On the contrary, according to the ERC, the decrease in temperature-adjusted electricity production, which has a significant weight in the composition of the CCLEI, held back CCLEI’s positive growth rate.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 05/11/2025 UNTIL 1800 06/11/2025

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1013hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night

Northeast to East 3

Smooth to Slight

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3, later locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Slight

South Coast

Night

North to Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4

Slight

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southeast to South

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Slight

East Coast

Night

North to Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4

Slight

Morning

Northeast to East 3 to 4, later Southeast to South 3

Slight, later Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Night

Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4, locally Northeast to East 4

Slight

Morning

Northeast to East 3, later Variable 3

Slight, later Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

The British High Commission, in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, is hosting a conference titled ‘Safeguarding Cyprus’s Tourism Industry’. The conference will officially launch the Counter-Terrorism Awareness E-Learning Training Programme on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the City of Dreams Mediterranean.

According to a press release, this initiative marks the first formal rollout of its kind in Europe and represents a major advancement in joint UK-Cyprus efforts to strengthen public safety and preparedness within the tourism industry.

The programme has been developed by the UK Home Office specifically for the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen protective security in Cyprus’s tourism industry. It is designed to equip professionals working in busy environments, such as hotels, airports, ports, restaurants, bars, shopping centres, and entertainment venues, with the skills to identify and respond to a range of serious threats. These include suspicious behaviour and items, bomb threats, firearm and weapons attacks, and insider threats.

It serves as a practical, sector-wide preparedness tool for managing serious incidents that could disrupt operations or compromise public safety. By equipping frontline staff and management with the ability to recognise and respond to threats swiftly and effectively, the programme directly supports the safety of both visitors and personnel. In doing so, it reinforces Cyprus’ standing as a secure, resilient, and high-quality tourist destination, it is added.

To ensure maximum accessibility and impact, the e-learning modules will be hosted on the Deputy Ministry of Tourism’s official website. “Designed for seamless integration into existing security protocols, the training is readily adaptable across the industry, enabling consistent, high-quality security awareness for professionals at every level” the announcement says.

The launch event will feature keynote addresses by the Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Dr Costas Constantinou, and the British High Commissioner, Michael Tatham, alongside panel discussions, real-life testimonials, and case studies that highlight the importance of proactive security awareness and cross-sector collaboration. Admission to the conference is free.

The Industrial Turnover Index recorded an increase of 4%, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, data published by the Statistical Service on Wednesday show.

However, in August 2025, the Industrial Turnover Index reached 115.2 units (base 2021=100), recording a decrease of 3.4% compared to August 2024, mainly due to a drop in electricity supply.

In manufacturing, the Industrial Turnover Index for August 2025 reached 105 units, recording an increase of 1.2% compared to August 2024. An increase was also recorded in mining and quarrying (2.1%).

Decreases were noted in the electricity supply (-15.7%) and water supply and materials recovery (-1.3%) sectors.

The number of registered unemployed fell by 8.8% in October, according to data published on Wednesday by the Cyprus Statistical Service (CyStat).

According to CyStat, the unemployed persons, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of October 2025, reached 7,099 persons.

Based on the seasonally adjusted data which reflect the trend of unemployment, the number of registered unemployed for October 2025 decreased to 9,476 persons, in comparison to 9,671 in the previous month.

In comparison with October 2024, a drop of 682 persons or 8.8% was recorded.

This decrease is mainly attributed to the sectors of trade, construction, manufacturing, financial and insurance activities, as well as to the decrease recorded for newcomers in the labour market.

A meeting of the Heads of Diplomatic Missions (HDMs) of the Republic of Cyprus in the Middle East and the Gulf region was held on Monday in Manama, Bahrain.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X, on Tuesday evening, that the meeting was organized by the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Embassy in Manama.

The HDMs were briefed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, on foreign policy issues related to the region, followed by an exchange of views.

At the same time, the HDMs were informed by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, about the preparations ahead of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union that begins on January 1, 2026.

Subsequently, the HDMs participated in thematic sessions with analysts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), where they had the opportunity to exchange views in an interactive dialogue.

The meeting concluded with a visit to the Bahrain National Museum and a reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain.

Two people were arrested and documents and electronic devices were seized by the Cyprus Authorities in the framework of the international operation ‘Chargeback’.

A Police press release says that on 4 November 2025, a coordinated Joint Action Day was held, within the framework of Operation ‘Chargeback’, with the aim of dismantling three major criminal networks active in the field of electronic fraud and money laundering. Cyprus was one of the countries that participated in the operation.

Based on the results of the operation, in 193 countries, more than 4.3 million cardholders were victims, the estimated financial loss is over 300 million euros, while fraud attempts exceeded 750 million euros.

Furthermore, with regard to the crime of money laundering, numerous shell companies were used in the United Kingdom and Cyprus, through which the illegal transactions were channeled, while ‘crime-as-a-service’ providers offered the shell companies complete organizational structures with fake directors and false identification documents.

The operation was carried out simultaneously in the states involved and they achieved the execution of 60 search warrants and 18 arrest warrants, seizure of documents, electronic data and communication devices and freezing of significant assets of the suspects.

The operation was successful thanks to the close cooperation between the authorities of Germany, Canada, Cyprus, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, as well as to the assistance of EUROPOL and EUROJUST, it adds.

The active operational participation of Cyprus in the Joint Action Day resulted in the arrest of two persons, searches of company offices and residences, as well as seizures of documents and electronic devices.

Cyprus participated in the operation through the Cyprus Police, (Crime Combating Department), the Nicosia Divisional Police and the EUROPOL National Unit.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 05/11/2025 UNTIL 1200 06/11/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1015hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 24°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northeast to East 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, later locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Afternoon Northeast to East 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night North to Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4 Slight

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southeast to South Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Afternoon Northeast to East 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night North to Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4 Slight

Morning Northeast to East 3 to 4, later Southeast to South 3 Slight, later Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Afternoon Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4, locally Northeast to East 4 Slight

Morning Northeast to East 3, later Variable 3 Slight, later Smooth to Slight

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and head of the European External Action Service, Kaja Kallas, visits Cyprus on Wednesday for meetings ahead of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will begin on January 1, 2026.

Kallas will be received at 1600 local time at the Presidential Palace by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.

At 17:15 , th High Representative is expected to arrive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she will sign the visitors’ book. This will be followed by a tete-a-tete meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, while afterwards bilateral consultations will take place. Later on, Kombos and Kallas will make statements to the media.

As the European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs, Anita Hipper, has told CNA, the High Representative is carrying out this visit in the context of the upcoming Presidency, as well as part of ongoing cooperation on key issues, such as the situation in Gaza, Ukraine, and the support provided to Kyiv.

A report released on Tuesday by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) highlights Cyprus’ strong performance in digital governance, broadband expansion, and workplace digitalization, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the region’s leading digital economies, according to a relevant announcement.

DCO, the international organization dedicated to advancing inclusive and sustainable digital economies, launched the Digital Economy Navigator 2025 (DEN 2025) at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, noting, among other things, that Cyprus has achieved notable improvements in fixed broadband speed and workplace digitalization, supported by ongoing infrastructure upgrades and increased technology adoption among enterprises.

As per the report, Cyprus also ranks highly in digital governance, aligning closely with European Union standards on data protection, cybersecurity, and interoperability. ‘These results reflect Cyprus’s continued commitment to creating a trusted, transparent, and innovation-friendly digital environment,’ it is noted.

The report also highlights Cyprus’s efforts to expand public access to digital tools and enhance digital skills development through education and training programs. ‘Progress in online government services and consistent with European frameworks has contributed to greater efficiency, trust, and competitiveness across the economy’ DCO says.

Covering 80 countries representing 94 percent of global GDP and 85 percent of the global population, the DEN 2025 provides a data-driven overview of global digital economy maturity. Based on 145 indicators and insights from more than 41,000 respondents, the report helps policymakers, investors, and businesses assess how nations are developing infrastructure, innovation capacity, and digital policy frameworks to support sustainable growth, the announcement notes.

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, welcomed the findings of the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) 2025, which he said, recognise Cyprus’ progress in digital governance, broadband connectivity and workplace digitalization.

‘Cyprus’ continued investment in secure digital infrastructure and high-speed connectivity is enabling both citizens and businesses to benefit from reliable access and efficient online services. We are proud to see our progress reflected in areas such as data protection, interoperability and the expansion of digital skills across our workforce. These results strengthen our vision of Cyprus as a trusted, innovative and inclusive digital hub for the region’ he added.

DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya said the DEN 2025 illustrates both the progress already made and the opportunities ahead. She said that ‘the Digital Cooperation Organization envisions a future where every nation can participate meaningfully in the digital economy, not only as consumers of digital services, but as creators and innovators.’

The DEN 2025 shows that digitalization is creating new opportunities for growth across all income levels. Internet access now reaches more than four in five people globally, and lower-middle-income countries are recording the fastest progress. The report estimates that connecting underserved communities could enable more than 1.3 billion people to benefit from digital banking and online services, driving inclusion and shared prosperity.

Artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, and the new ‘Digital for Sustainability’ pillar highlights how technology can support more efficient public administration and environmentally responsible innovation. The DCO notes that Cyprus’ success in combining advanced regulation with digital infrastructure makes it a strong example of sustainable and secure digital transformation.