Popular Bank gets support from State

The House of Representatives late last night approved legislation providing for state support to the island’s second largest lender. The item was passed with 43 votes for, none against, and three abstentions.

Popular Bank seeking state aid

THE Popular Bank said yesterday it was in talks with the finance ministry and the Central Bank about state guarantees to raise fresh capital after being battered by the Greek debt write-down.

15 firms to bid for gas drilling rights off Cyprus

Major oil and gas companies such as Russia’s Novatec, Italy’s ENI, France’s Total, and Malaysia’s Petronas are among 15 firms and consortiums that are seeking to carry out exploratory drilling for gas deposits off southern Cyprus, the island’s commerce minister said Friday, despite Turkey’s strong objections.

Cyprus news

Financial crisis in Cyprus is being successfully tackled, says Ministry

Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias today said the government is successfully tackling the financial crisis facing the Cypriot economy.

At an ceremony in Athens for Cypriot academic achievers, Kazamias highlighted the climate of political consensus and social participation and expressed hope that this will continue in 2012, despite a 0.2 per cent forecast GDP growth.

Referring to the causes of the financial crisis in Cyprus, as a result of the global financial crisis, Kazamias recalled the distortions in the economy, structural weaknesses as well as last July’s massive explosion at a naval base on the island which crippled the main power station, resulting in regular power cuts.

The crisis, he added, forced the Republic of Cyprus to address the distortions in the economy, which everyone acknowledged existed but no government dared address. or promote structural changes.

He noted that austerity measures, approved with the contribution of the political parties, although they do not solve the problems of the economy permanently, had relieved some of the pressure.

Kazamias highlighted the need for future governments to continue following strict financial policy and said that the natural gas deposits recently discovered in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone should be managed correctly.

Source: www.cyprus-mail.com
January 30, 2012