“Invest Cyprus operates as a dedicated Facilitator, Navigator and problem
Solver for international Investors throughout their entire journey”
Mr. Marios Tannousis, Cyprus has emerged as a dynamic investment destination in recent years; could you outline the key sectors-such as technology, financial services, shipping, and innovation-that currently offer the most promising opportunities for international investors?
Cyprus has demonstrated remarkable economic resilience and growth, with a GDP growth rate of 3.4% in 2025, consistently outperforming the Eurozone average. This stability is underpinned by a strategic focus on high-value, knowledge-based industries. The Technology (ICT) sector is the crown jewel of this transformation, now contributing over 14% to the national GDP – a figure that has doubled in recent years. Positioning itself as a technology-driven island economy, Cyprus hosts over 800 international ICT companies, including global names such as Microsoft, Oracle, NCR, IBM, Kyndryl, DataArt, Jetbrains, Wrike and many others. Recent collaborations with innovators like NVIDIA and Tenstorrent, Plug & Play further solidify its position as a hub for AI and deep tech. The Financial Services sector remains a core pillar, with Cyprus emerging as an attractive jurisdiction for alternative investment funds (AIFs) and UCITS, supported by a legal system based on English Common Law and with the latest regulation transposed into the national legal order. Furthermore, Shipping continues to be a traditional stronghold; Cyprus manages the 3rd largest merchant fleet in the EU and serves as the largest third-party ship management hub globally. Innovation is also expanding into new frontiers, such as space exploration, following Cyprus’s 2024 signing of the NASA Artemis Accords. Additionally, the Energy sector offers significant opportunities through Cyprus investment into energy routes and interconnectors including investments in renewable energy and battery storage. Of paramount importance here is the support and contribution of Cyprus to the IMEEC project.
As the national investment promotion authority, how does Invest Cyprus facilitate and support foreign investors throughout their journey-from initial entry to long-term expansion-and what distinguishes Cyprus as a ‘one-stop shop’ investment destination?
Invest Cyprus operates as a dedicated Facilitator, Navigator and Problem Solver for international investors throughout their entire journey. Our support is structured across three key phases: the Decision Phase, providing detailed market intelligence; the Setup Phase, facilitating essential meetings with regulators, local banks, and service providers; and the Aftercare Phase, which ensures long-term growth by addressing bureaucratic hurdles and operational pain points. What distinguishes Cyprus as a “one-stop shop” is the close collaboration of the Invest Cyprus with the Business Support Center of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. This mechanism and collaboration fast-track company registration, licensing, and the relocation of key personnel and their families. This streamlined approach reduces the time-to-market for investors and provides a single, efficient point of contact with the state. The upcoming implementation of a new FDI Screening framework (April 2026) further enhances this environment by ensuring transparency and protection for strategic assets in full alignment with EU regulations.
With Cyprus positioning itself as a growing technology and financial hub within the EU, what strategic initiatives are being implemented to attract high-tech companies, innovation-driven businesses, and skilled global talent?
To position Cyprus as a global technology jurisdiction, several strategic initiatives are in place. The Vision 2035 national strategy serves as the long-term blueprint for making Cyprus one of the world’s best places to live, work and do business. Key fiscal incentives include the IP Box Regime, which offers a highly competitive tax exemption on qualified profits from intellectual property. To attract and retain skilled global talent, Cyprus offers a 50% income tax exemption for first-time employees earning over €55,000, valid for up to 17 years. Strategic international partnerships, such as the Cyprus-US Strategic Dialogue launched in late 2024, have formalized cooperation in technology and security, boosting investor confidence. Moreover, Cyprus’s upcoming full inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program as well as EU Schengen Program is expected to significantly improve the global mobility of executives based on the island. In addition Digital Nomad Visa as well as Start-Up Visa programs are granted to qualified entrepreneurs, innovators and digital professionals further enriching the already thriving r&d, tech, innovation and entrepreneurship business & investment cluster of Cyprus.
Further to the above the establishment of the India-Greece-Cyprus business and investment council (IGC) established the most efficient India – EU corridor and route of collaboration that is win-win for all Countries and stakeholders. In view also of the EU-India agreement the collaboration of India and Cyprus is already phenomenal.
Finally, could you share a notable success story of an international investor or company that has thrived in Cyprus, and how such examples reflect the country’s strengths as a reliable and competitive global business center?
The visit for Prime Minister Modi to Cyprus in June 15, 2025 to Cyprus has given a new momentum and has taken the business and investment relations of the two Countries to another level. A significant number of key Indian companies have invested in Cyprus since then adding to the existing investments from India including technology, shipping, tourism, wellness, education, security and defense and so forth. Indian companies can capitalize on the EU membership of Cyprus and its business and investment advantages and incentives which make it the perfect gateway for these companies to Europe.
The success of Cyprus is best reflected in the thriving international companies that have established a significant presence here a are operating successfully. There are many success stories amongst which is the investment of the French multinational fintech firm Murex, the Japanese multinational firm MUFG, the reputable American University of Beirut, a state-of-the-art modernized bottling plan by Kassatly Group and many more. These investments not only highlight Cyprus’s investment, business, trading and manufacturing capabilities but also its role as a regional investment, business and industrial hub. In the tech sector, Cyprus has nurtured global unicorns such as The Soul Publishing, which operates its global headquarters from Limassol. The financial sector also saw a major milestone in 2024 with Eurobank increasing its stake to 55.3% in Hellenic Bank, with foreign investment of more than 1.2 billion Euros, reflecting deep institutional trust in the island’s banking stability. These examples demonstrate Cyprus’s core strengths: a reliable legal framework, a strategic location bridging Europe and the MENA region, and a high-caliber, multilingual and highly skilled talented workforce that is growing year after year due to inbound foreign investment and talent.