The Cypriot economy is expected to find itself on a safer path than it did during the previous decades. Infocredit Group has shifted its focus towards sustainable development while maintaining a positive outlook for 2030.
Increased Competition, Technological Progress, Energy Costs, The Availability Of Finance And Uncertainty About The Future are the main long term challenges facing Cypriot businesses.
DYNAMISM AND FLEXIBILITY
Cyprus has rightly been described as one of the countries with the greatest potential for growth, with 2030 being a milestone for our island, as the National Recovery and Resilience Plan began its implementation. Cyprus has a dynamic and flexible economy with solid foundations and is in a favourable position to deal with any challenges or pressures arising from the global economy. A readiness to respond to international market trends and the successful collaboration between the private and public sectors are both key to its success.
SIGNS OF GROWTH
Even though the consequences of the financial crisis and the pandemic have not yet fully disappeared, the economic development of Cyprus shows signs of recovery in various sectors. Increased competition, technological progress, rising energy costs, the availability of finance and uncertainty about the future make up some of the main long-term challenges facing Cypriot businesses.
GREATER TRANSPARENCY
Feedback received from the market as well as from Infocredit Group's own surveys reveals a general trend towards improved governance and greater transparency. Furthermore, companies are actively taking steps to become more aligned with current developments, which begins with complying with the most recent legislation and EU directives. One can observe that organizations are slowly starting to instil this in their corporate culture. This is encouraging since, over the next decade, we hope to see more and more companies operating under conditions of transparency. This move will allow market players to make the best use of the resources available, to reduce their business risk and avoid market traps.
A SAFER COURSE
Also, increased pressure to comply with regulations regarding corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing has led to a growing number of companies which have started to implement due diligence processes to mitigate regulatory risks. Given this situation and assuming that compliance with legislation will continue to be upheld, we anticipate that the Cyprus economy will find itself on a safer path than it did during the previous decade. Consequently, we expect to see a healthier market with potential for growth. Let's not forget that sustainable growth and social welfare are directly linked to the rule of law, transparency, and the fight against corruption.
GROWTH SECTORS
SERVICES
The fast-growing services sector is considered by many as the main driver of the Cypriot economy. The island has been transformed into a significant international business, finance, and shipping hub. Benefits such us improved service quality, private sector support, market regulation and supervision through frequent amendments to the legal and institutional framework as well as fair competition and stability, are crucial to the sector's ongoing growth.
TOURISM & CONSTRUCTION
The other two sectors fueling our economy are tourism and construction. Tourism with its volatile nature and after the great wound (due to coronavirus), tries to recover in various ways. In recent years, tourism seems to have benefited from political developments and, as long as Cyprus steers clear of any regional conflicts, it is a sector which is expected to experience further expansion. At the same time, the government is moving towards upgrading the tourism product, with an emphasis on sustainability, the extend of the tourist season and by offering a "complete Mediterranean" experience.
On the other hand, the construction sector has slowly recovered from the 2013 crisis and has started to grow once more. Of course, one cannot ignore the impact of the Cyprus Investment Programme on the particular sector, which has brought a surge in foreign investment to the island. Consequently, the influx of dubious capital may have created excessive optimism about the sector's potentially unrealistic growth. The actual trend will become clear once anti-money laundering regulations become strictly enforced and when construction occurs in response to a genuine demand for it. For now, however, we remain optimistic since the revival of the sector is also visible from the rise in the construction of high-rise towers and residences.
EDUCATION
In a small yet fast-paced economy such as ours, certain sectors still manage to surprise us in a positive way. For example, education has shown rapid growth in recent years, as the improved quality of local universities, combined with the new state of affairs following Brexit, appears to not only encourage Cypriot students to remain on the island but also entices foreigners to choose Cyprus as their destination of choice for continuing their higher education.
NATURAL GAS
There is no doubt that the discovery of natural gas in Cyprus has made the Oil and Gas industry a vital part of the Cyprus economy. The instability of the sector, however, does not allow for accurate predictions, since the prospect of potential energy pipelines has made the Mediterranean a battle ground for surrounding nations with conflicting interests. Therefore, existing uncertainties give an unclear picture of when we will actually see natural gas being extracted or even which countries will benefit from its distribution and sale and to what extent. Legally, Cyprus stands to gain from this undertaking, and by extension, its economy but from a global standpoint the allocation of wealth is directly linked to the balance of power between those involved. It appears that the process of natural gas extraction will be a slow one, with carefully planned, cautious action, to gain the greatest possible benefit without disrupting peace in the region.
INFOCREDIT GROUP ROLE
The business information sector, which is based on three main pillars - credit risk management, regulatory compliance and corporate governance - plays a crucial role in the long-term sustainability and smooth running of a business. Infocredit Group provides comprehensive business information and credit risk management solutions, through the use of artificial intelligence which is a must in today's market in order to safe guard a company's liquidity.
SECURITY SOLUTIONS
A company can derive great value and efficiency through its human capital and other resources especially if it applies corporate governance principles and complies with compliance regulations in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing, thus improving its prospects for long-term growth. By constantly refining our services and seeking new ways to develop our existing product lines and add new ones, we always endeavour to be first, not only in terms of making use of the latest technology where applicable but also in our effort to be in line with current trends, offering the tools necessary for success and the reduction of risks.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
There is a notable interest around the subject of Artificial Intelligence (Al) and how through new technology, official and unofficial financial sources can be combined with references in the media, to create a full picture of how a business is functioning.
STATE SUPPORT
State support of the private sector and the presence of market regulation and supervision maintain conditions of macroeconomic stability and a favourable business environment through frequent amendments to the legal and regulatory framework and safeguard fair competition. In this way, the state can reinforce entrepreneurship and contribute to business sustainability and growth.
STAMPING OUT CORRUPTION
Suppressing corruption and enforcing conditions of transparency and regulatory compliance is of paramount importance, and promotes a feeling of security in the market, as does the maintenance of strong international relations and the maximisation of our resources.
THE COMMON GOOD
lnfocredit Group remains committed to its principles while aiming to be a modern, flexible organization that benefits society. The company strives to be a leading provider of innovative solutions for credit risk management, regulatory compliance and corporate governance, by constantly improving its product quality to meet its clients' needs.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Our international partnerships with reputable organizations such as LexisNexis Risk Solutions in the compliance discipline, VinciWorks in the field of online professional training as well as the Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland for corporate governance along with other new international partnerships, allow the company to look beyond Cyprus borders. With offices in the UAE and a strong presence in Greece, Malta, Russia and Romania and alliances worldwide, we constantly work towards achieving market growth through the provision of cutting-edge solutions which are aligned with developments in the global market.
CSR AS A WAY OF LIFE
We are actively making an effort to increase our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities since we want our company to play a part in contributing to society and respecting fellow citizens or peers as well as the environment on every level. Sustainable growth, with the smallest environmental footprint possible, is a way of life for Infocredit Group and one that will determine our future steps.