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Cyprus as a Business Hub

Cyprus as a Business Hub

The island sits at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This location provides companies with access to multiple markets within a single business day. Cyprus operates in a timezone that allows simultaneous communication with both European and Middle Eastern partners during standard working hours. The country joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008. These milestones secured access to the EU single market with its 450 million consumers. Companies established in Cyprus can operate freely across member states while maintaining connections to rapidly growing markets in North Africa and the Gulf region. Two international airports in Larnaca and Paphos connect Cyprus to major global cities. Modern ports in Limassol and Larnaca facilitate efficient maritime trade. The infrastructure supports smooth logistics for companies engaged in international commerce. Competitive Tax Framework Attracts International Business Cyprus recently updated its corporate tax rate to 15% as of January 2026, aligning with global minimum tax standards. While this represents an increase from the previous 12.5%, the rate remains among the most competitive in the European Union. Large multinational enterprises with revenues exceeding €750 million annually now fall under this minimum threshold. The country maintains over 65 double taxation treaties with nations worldwide. These agreements prevent businesses from paying tax twice on the same income and reduce withholding rates on dividends,…

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Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates was one of the most important religious centres in ancient Cyprus, set within the wooded landscape near Kourion. Dedicated to Apollo in his role as protector of forests and nature, it combined Greek religious traditions with older local beliefs and attracted pilgrims for centuries. The sanctuary reveals how religion, nature, and daily life were closely connected in the ancient world. A Sacred Place in the Forest The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates lies west of ancient Kourion, surrounded by gentle hills and woodland. Unlike urban temples built into city centres, this sanctuary was deliberately placed in nature, reflecting the character of the god worshipped there. Apollo Hylates was not the sun god or musician known from classical myths, but a guardian of forests, wild landscapes, and natural balance. The setting itself was part of the sacred experience, where worshippers felt close to both the god and the land. Roots Older Than the Greeks The origins of the sanctuary reach back to the Late Bronze Age. Before Greek settlers arrived, local communities already worshipped a nature deity connected to trees and the wilderness. When Greek culture spread to Cyprus, this local god was identified with Apollo. Rather than replacing older beliefs, Greek religion absorbed them. The result was Apollo Hylates, a uniquely Cypriot form of the god…

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Marine Conservation Programs

Marine Conservation Programs

Cyprus sits at the crossroads of the eastern Mediterranean Sea where diverse marine species converge. The island's coastal waters support endangered sea turtles, rare monk seals, extensive seagrass meadows, and dozens of shark and ray species. Marine conservation programs work to protect these ecosystems through scientific research, policy reform, and community engagement. These initiatives span both the government-controlled south and the Turkish-occupied north, with multiple organizations collaborating to safeguard Cyprus's marine biodiversity. A History of Marine Protection Efforts Sea turtle conservation in Cyprus began in 1971 when the government enacted legal protection for turtles and their eggs under the Fisheries Law. A comprehensive survey in 1976 and 1977 identified critical nesting beaches, particularly for green turtles in the Lara area on the west coast. The Cyprus Wildlife Society joined the effort in 1989, and by 1992, the Marine Turtle Conservation Project launched in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus through collaboration between the Society for the Protection of Turtles and the University of Exeter. Marine Protected Areas emerged later as conservation priorities evolved. Since 2009, five coastal MPAs have been established in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, covering approximately 134 kilometers of coastline and 17,596 hectares of marine environment. A 30-year trawling ban in the north created a de facto large marine protected area, allowing ,habitats to recover compared to regions…

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