Nicosia has been the administrative, commercial, financial, religious, university and cultural centre of Cyprus for over a thousand years. Today, the capital of Cyprus envisions complete revitalization of the City Centre, in terms of sustainability and social cohesion, ensuring its position as a main administrative centre of the island. Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis discusses the capital’s international image, pointing out its investment opportunities.
European Times: What are your priorities as Mayor of Nicosia?
Constantinos Yiorkadjis: While serving my second mandate as Mayor of Nicosia, I would like to highlight that the municipality has achieved significant results from many undertaken activities, including the responsible allocation of the municipality’s financial budgets, the promotion of the reforms and modernization of the local governmental regulative, and the promotion of essential projects in various neighbourhoods of the city. The municipality has also implemented projects for the revitalization of the historic city centre of Nicosia near the buffer zone and ensured resources for new development projects in the commercial city centre.
We remain focused on fostering the progress of our citizens through additional development of neighbourhoods, strengthening the democracy of the local community and reunification of the city.
European Times: What are some of the capital’s ongoing projects?
Constantinos Yiorkadjis: The municipality is currently working on the revitalization of Eleftheria Square and its surrounding area, a project designed by the widely renowned Zaha Hadid. We are also working on the reconstruction of the entire urban centre, creating intelligent infrastructures that ensure environmental protection.
European Times: Why should foreign investors target Nicosia?
Constantinos Yiorkadjis: Nicosia is the administrative, financial and commercial centre of the island. The establishment of various multinational companies, especially from the accounting and auditing sector, and the fact that all Ministries and governmental services are based here, ensures that Nicosia is extremely convenient for the foreign investors.
The city is the cultural centre of the island, which creates the need of highly developed infrastructure, tourism facilities, entertainment venues, shopping outlets and adequate transportation network, projects that will be developed in the near future. Nicosia is also the home to several colleges, universities and high-standard health care facilities that serve both residents and individuals from neighbouring countries.
In addition to excellent connectivity, peaceful atmosphere and moderate climate, Nicosia provides a developed banking system, good business environment and highly specialized workforce. Supported by the many incentives the Government provides for foreign investors, we hope to create favourable conditions that will attract large multinational companies. I would also like to thank the many companies that have already established a presence in Cyprus, since their vote of confidence is very valuable for us.
