The government exploits the comparative advantages of Cyprus and aims at turning the country into a modern international business and services centre, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides has said.

Addressing Wednesday the Annual Economic Congress of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC), which took place in Nicosia, Paschalides said that in 2011 a series of business fora, seminars and missions will take place in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US, to promote Cyprus as an international business and services centre.

“In 2011 we have planned 20 seminars in 14 countries. Some of these missions will be headed either by the President of the Republic of Cyprus or by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, while Cypriot businesspeople will hold contacts with their foreign counterparts“, he said.

The Minister added that experience has shown that such missions yield positive results. “The results are seen in the increasing numbers of new registered companies in Cyprus as well as in the increasing foreign deposits and investments in Cyprus with positive results on our economy“, he concluded.