2022-2023 Cyprus Country Report
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CYPRUSCOUNTRY REPORT <strong>2022</strong><br />
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS<br />
Successive credit rating upgrades over the years and the continuous introduction<br />
of new incentives have attracted billions in foreign investment to <strong>Cyprus</strong>, with<br />
substantial inflows from the US, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The sectors<br />
that have seen the most significant FDI so far are: finance, most notably in shipping;<br />
real estate in new luxury developments and infrastructure projects; information and<br />
communication; retail trade; and professional services, in particular head-office<br />
activities.<br />
Although having faced some serious<br />
economic shocks over the last ten years,<br />
the resilience and growth performance<br />
of <strong>Cyprus</strong> has been exceptional and even<br />
exceeded international expectations.<br />
Real GDP growth averaged 5.3% in 2015-<br />
19, and while 2020 marked a critical<br />
downturn due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 saw a strong rebound with growth<br />
bouncing back to 5.5%. Foreign investment flows have been significant. In the tenyear<br />
period 2012-2021, net inflows reached almost €18 billion. This investment was<br />
driven by equity, with the shipping/shipping finance and real estate sectors playing<br />
an important role.<br />
GROWING TECH INVESTMENT<br />
The technology and communications sector in <strong>Cyprus</strong> has become fiercely<br />
competitive, with a number of players deploying cutting edge solutions to both<br />
increase their local market share and generate growth through the launch of new<br />
technology and products. 5G was rolled out in 2021, making <strong>Cyprus</strong> the first EU state to<br />
achieve 100% 5G coverage.<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong> is already home to a number<br />
of major tech firms, such as NCR,<br />
Amdocs, Wargaming, 3CX, Exness,<br />
Bolt, Thomson Reuters, Melsoft Games,<br />
and Nexters, and has gained ground<br />
in successfully attracting investment<br />
capital in blockchain. The country’s startup<br />
community has also grown stronger<br />
with more than 200 enterprises and<br />
4,000 entrepreneurs, fostering more<br />
opportunities for business angels and<br />
venture capitalists looking to invest<br />
risk capital in exchange for equity in<br />
promising business ideas. In addition, a<br />
key attraction for high-tech companies<br />
is the <strong>Cyprus</strong> Intellectual IP Box Regime,<br />
I5G was rolled out in 2021, making<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong> the first EU state to achieve<br />
100% coverage<br />
IIn the ten-year period 2012-2021,<br />
net inflows reached almost<br />
€18 billion<br />
which provides a competitive maximum<br />
tax rate of 2.5% on income earned from<br />
IP assets. <strong>Cyprus</strong>’ regime also applies to<br />
a wider range of income compared to<br />
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