Cyprus services turnover has mixed record in Q1

**Business services up, consumer down**

The services sector had a mixed record in the first quarter of the year according to data on turnover from the Statistical Service.
On the positive side, turnover in the sector that represents international business services (professional, scientific and technical activities) rose by 4.2% over the year earlier in the first three months of the year.
The business services sector accounts for some 10% of GDP. It now brings in more income from abroad than tourism and employs more people than tourism once financial services are included.
Information and communications also rose, rising by 5.4%, while there was a 4.7% increase in administrative and support service activities.
On the negative side, services relating to the consumer or tourism fared badly.
Accommodation and food service activities fell by 0.6%.
As regards transport, turnover in this sector dropped by 15.1%, compared with the corresponding period of 2011.
Land transport fell by 10.7%, water tumbled by 55.6% and air transport dropped by 24.1%.
Postal and courier activities fell by 4.8%.