* New projects worth €64 mln for district *
The Larnaca marina and port privatisation will go out to tender again by the end of next year, after previous bidder Zenon Consortium failed to find the necessary funds for the project.
The facilities will now remain in state hands and the government has yet decided what to do next, as the deadlock has thrown a spanner in the works of the privatisation plans which is an obligation as part of the EUR 10 bln bailout plan agreed with the Troika of international lenders.
Limassol port has already gone to tender with several promising bidders for the management of all commercial operations. The state Ports Authority will remain the landlord, which means the government has to proceed with the privatisation of other assets, such as telco Cyta, in order to meet the EUR 1.4 bln target.
In Larnaca, President Anastasiades announced a series of new infrastructure and development projects worth EUR 64 mln for the town and the district last Thursday.
The President said the projects include the construction of new elementary schools and medical centres, a municipal traditional market, a multicultural and sports centre, improvement works on main roads, works for the protection of the beaches, construction of flood barriers, improvement works for the Larnaca fishing shelter, and other projects in the framework of the Solid Waste Management programme.
He recalled that since he assumed office in 2013 a series of projects worth EUR 36.5 mln have already been completed, while other development projects, which began before or during 2015, worth EUR 70 mln, are under way.
The President also said that the oil and gas storage facilities will be moved from the Dhekelia road by the end of 2017.
He stressed that the government remains committed to the development of the port and the marina of Larnaca so that it includes facilities that serve the tourist and commercial needs of the port and lead to the construction of an ultra modern marina.
He also announced the decision of the Council of Ministers to allocated the abandoned leper colony to house some faculties of the University of Cyprus and to create a national park.
