We would like to inform you that the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry has proceeded with the issuance of Decree Regulatory Administrative Act 382/2023 which lays down rules on the removal of the weight of the packaging material (tara) when selling goods which are offered in bulk, packaged and weighed in the presence of the consumer.

According to the Decree, during the weighing and packaging of any good, in the presence of the consumer, the weight of the packaging material (tara) is removed, so that the final charge price concerns the net weight of this good.

The Decree does not apply to packaging material (tara) of a total weight of up to 4 grams and will enter into force on 1 January 2024.

For more information please contact the Consumer Protection Service at telephone number 22200900.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Circular PDF – Decree on the Removal of Packaging Material Weight

We would like to inform you that ICC Cyprus supports the C4DTI Digital Conference and Awards.

The C4DTI Digital Conference and Awards is organized by ICC United Kingdom and the Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation taking place over two days form 17-18 April 2024.

Day 1: Virtual sessions (Zoom)
Day 2: In-person followed by the awards ceremony

The C4DTI Digital Trade Conference (DTC) is the annual, international, flagship event for the ICC Centre for Digital Trade Innovation (C4DTI).

Sessions will discuss practical implementation of cross-border interoperable trade systems highlighting best practices, solutions, lessons learnt from pilot initiatives and will give attendees access to the international experts leading projects and programmes.

Taking place during the same week the C4DTI Awards will once again celebrate global excellence in trade digitalisation at both corporate and individual level with regard to those involved in delivering a cheaper, faster and simpler trading system. The event will take place on the evening of Thursday 18 April 2024 at the Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn, immediately after the end of DTC.

Read more:

Circular PDF – C4DTI Digital Conference and Awards

Imposition of a Reduced Vat Rate of Five Hundred 5% on the Purchase or Construction of a Residence Used as a Main and Permanent Residence

PDF Circular -Imposition of a Reduced Vat Rate

We would like to inform you that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Union, Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski, is planning the 4th high-level Business Delegation to China between April 21 and 26, 2024, with the aim of promoting agricultural products from the European Union (EU) in the Chinese market.

The main objective of the mission is to meet with the Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Minister of Commerce, and other Ministers of the Chinese Government. In addition to discussing matters on the political agenda, contacts will be established between representatives of EU and Chinese businesses. The meetings will address issues related to facilitating market access and strengthening contacts between Chinese and European companies operating in the agricultural sector.

For this purpose, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) invites all interested businesses in the agricultural sector of Cyprus to express their interest in participating in the mission through the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/HLM_China_April_2024, no later than December 19, 2023.

The final selection of business representatives accompanying Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski will be based on criteria, including geographical distribution and the significance of the agricultural product.

Below in the Circular PDF is the relevant invitation from the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, as well as a draft agenda for the mission.

For more information, please contact Mr. Socrates Socratous, Senior Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and
Environment, at telephone number 22-408311 or via email at ssokratous@da.moa.gov.cy.

PDF Circular – Business Delegation of the EU Agricultural Sector to China in April 2024

Τhe Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the initiative of the General Secretariat for European Affairs, signed in December 2021 a Memorandum of Understanding with the College of Europe, offering an annual scholarship to Cypriot citizens, for one of the postgraduate programmes of the College.

The College of Europe was founded in 1949. Since 1992 it operates in two university campuses, the Bruges Campus in Belgium and the Natolin Campus in Poland. It offers a wide choice of postgraduate programmes in European Union affairs, providing postgraduate students with the necessary skills to live and work in the EU and, generally in a European and international environment.

Based on the provisions of the relevant Memorandum, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is offering for the Academic Year 2024-25 to Cypriot citizens, one (1) scholarship to study at the Bruges Campus amounting to twenty-nine thousand euros (€29,000), or one (1) scholarship to study at the Natolin Campus amounting to twenty-seven thousand euros (€27,000). The scholarship covers tuition fees and accommodation.

Interested applicants, must complete and submit their applications via the website of the College. The deadline for submission of applications is the 16th January 2024.
With regards to the selection process, the College of Europe proceeds with the first selection of candidates, which is then submitted to the National Selection Committee of the Republic of Cyprus, which was jointly set up with the College of Europe, as per provisions of the relevant Memorandum.

For further information or clarifications, please contact Ms Maria Giannou at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the following email address: mgiannou@mfa.gov.cy.

Webinar – College of Europe

Please be informed that, within the framework of Cyprus’ government cooperation with the College of Europe, an online presentation, tailored to Cypriot students, will take place on the 5th of December at 11:30 BE time / 12:30 CY time.

The presentation by the College of Europe is addressed to any person interested to study in the College.

The College of Europe is a higher education institution founded in 1949. Since 1992, it operates in two university campuses, the Bruges Campus in Belgium and the Natolin Campus in Poland. It offers a wide choice of postgraduate programmes in European Union affairs, providing postgraduate students with the necessary skills to live and work in the EU and, generally in a European and international environment.

The Cypriot Government offers 1 full scholarship to a Cypriot student, while the College also offers a number of other scholarships to Cypriot students.

If you are interested to attend the online presentation, please register through the following link. https://forms.office.com/e/HNVeny2YK0

Scholarship Announcement PDF

Scholarship Webinar Announcement PDF