In the Republic of Cyprus, focus is on successfully meeting EU criteria since its membership in 2004, while it is clearly reaping the rewards of a strong and stable economy. The Republic now from the 1st January 2008 now with the Euro. EU accession has brought with it several benefits to the Cypriot economy and, amongst other things, the country now gains from increased EU financial assistance.
Interest rates in Cyprus are set at LIBOR 5.5 plus risk. Although these are considered to be high, they do not seem to stop investor activity; by liquidating their investments, investors receive cash returns which are significantly greater than lending costs, due to the great performance of capital appreciation.
Cyprus is currently undergoing the Strategic Plan for Tourism 2010 which aims at upgrading the facilities and resorts of Cyprus to 21st century tourism standards. This is good news for all kinds of property investors in Cyprus who are assured their properties and related amenities will fall in line with current demand. Investors should also expect to see an increase in the number of theme parks, eco-tourism, marinas and golf courses to cater for the diverse needs of modern tourists.
Economic Factors
Cyprus is considered to be a high-income country and holds 16th place in the world in terms of per capita income. The economy in Cyprus grew by 3.8% in 2005