CYPRUS: President presents his reform vision based on e-governance, justice and health

President Nicos Anastasiades has presented his vision for a new model Cyprus economy with 14 key reforms, through which the government hopes to shape the future of the country. 

Addressing the 91st Annual General Assembly of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anastasiades said the priority reform was the national health scheme, the initial phase of which is set to begin in June 2019.

He also expressed his support to Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou in handling the opposition to it, calling on all stakeholders to enter a dialogue so the scheme can be implemented within the specified timeframes.

Other government reforms include; improving the effectiveness of the justice system, creating an efficient public service, promoting e-governance in order to combat bureaucracy, and creating a junior Ministry of Digital Strategy, Research and Innovation.

There remains completing the reform of local administration by merging municipalities and networking of services, implementing a national strategy for tourism with the setting up in January 2019 of a junior Ministry of Tourism, and simplifying processes for licensing projects.

Also on the agenda is; developing investment fund management, improving governance in research and innovation, a national plan for Blockchain technology, partially privatising the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, the Stock Exchange, and the State Lottery, reforming Central Bank structures, strengthening the Securities and Exchange Commission, setting up an independent supervisory authority for insurance and provident funds, and reforming the education system.

He will not be running for re-election and pointed out the importance of cooperation among all political forces.

President of the Chamber of Commerce Christodoulos Angastiniotis said Cyprus needed a new dynamic and flexible model for the economy, which would utilise traditional sectors and support new ones.

He also pointed out the importance of keeping up with technological advancement and the digital world.