The Statistical Service announced that the number of building permits authorized by the municipal authorities and the district administration offices during August 2005 stood at 597 for a month-on-month decline of 2.8% compared to July 2005, but up a highly satisfactory 29.5% year-on-year compared to the number of building permits issued in the same month

The Board of Directors of A.Tsokkos Hotels Public Ltd will meet on November 29, 2005 at the Constantinos The Great hotel in Protaras to examine the results for the period ended September 30, 2005, which are seen by Egnatia Financial Services improving by 2.8% year-on-year. Egnatia expect total revenues for 9M05 to reach CYP 15.2

Lanitis Brothers Pcl (LB) is seen improving sales and profits during the first nine months of the year. The Board will convene on 15 November 2005 to examine its 9M05 results. According to an investment report issued by Egnatia Financial Services, total revenues in 9M05 are expected to reach CYP 44.7 mln, up by 10.8%

The Consumer Price Index for October 2005 increased by 1.37 units or 1.12% compared with the previous month to 124.13 units compared with 122.76 in September 2005. According to the Statistical Service CYSTAT, this is mainly owing to increases in the prices of certain clothing and footwear items, certain fresh vegetables, potatoes and gas. Decreases

British American Tobacco, Cyprus, one of the oldest tobacco industries on the island, has announced plans to shut down its factory in Nicosia and lay off its 200 or so workers. A company announcement justified the closure decision on the drastic fall of production, due to a 50% fall in exports. Managing Director Soteris Constantinou