2022-2023 Cyprus Country Report
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CYPRUSCOUNTRY REPORT <strong>2022</strong><br />
Following the country’s financial crisis<br />
in 2013, <strong>Cyprus</strong> undertook a major<br />
reform agenda and while still facing<br />
some economic challenges, the small<br />
EU nation has demonstrated resilience<br />
and an ability to bounce back to growth.<br />
The year 2015 signalled a sooner-thanexpected<br />
exit from recession and a rapid<br />
economic turnaround followed, with 2017<br />
recording almost 4% growth – earning<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong> praise as an economic success<br />
story. <strong>Cyprus</strong>’ resilience in the face of the<br />
pandemic was once again evident with<br />
GDP growth reaching a strong 5.5% in<br />
2021, although the European Commission<br />
forecasts a downturn to 3.2% growth in<br />
<strong>2022</strong>. Consistent credit rating upgrades<br />
have further boosted confidence and<br />
foreign direct investment has been<br />
flowing into all key sectors. <strong>Cyprus</strong> has<br />
retained and strengthened its status as an<br />
attractive investment gateway to the EU<br />
and other high-growth markets, as well<br />
as a secure base to tap into opportunities<br />
in the Middle East. Offering a tax-efficient<br />
EU company domicile, the country is also<br />
emerging as a compelling destination<br />
for regional headquarters and a base for<br />
tech companies, as well as an increasingly<br />
attractive location for fund managers and<br />
promoters.<br />
GROWING INVESTMENT FUND SECTOR<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong> has big ambitions in the<br />
investment funds sector to establish<br />
itself as a contender in the global asset<br />
management industry. The steady growth<br />
in both Assets under Management and in<br />
the number of fund structures licensed<br />
and active in <strong>Cyprus</strong> have underlined<br />
the strength and appeal of the novice<br />
domicile. Assets under Management<br />
(AuM) have seen a formidable increase<br />
from €2.7 billion in 2016 to €11.1 billion in<br />
the first quarter of <strong>2022</strong>, showing that it is<br />
not the sector’s size but its fast growth that<br />
has impressed, and is being recognised<br />
by the global asset management and<br />
CYPRUS FACTS<br />
& FIGURES<br />
EU Member since 2004,<br />
Eurozone member since 2008<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong>’ maritime sector accounts<br />
for €1 billion in annual revenue and<br />
is around 7% of the island’s GDP<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong> is an established<br />
international business and service<br />
centre for shipping, financial<br />
services and commerce, and is<br />
classified by the World Bank as<br />
a high-income country<br />
Investment funds have already<br />
invested more than €2 billion<br />
in several sectors of the Cypriot<br />
economy, such as shipping,<br />
hospitality, education, healthcare,<br />
and renewable energy<br />
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