Cyprus

The U.S. Department of State amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to suspend Cyprus's status as a proscribed destination from 1 October 2025 through 30 September 2026, continuing a policy first enacted in October 2022. The suspension covers exports, reexports, retransfers, temporary imports, and brokering activities involving Cyprus, with certain licensing exemptions available where applicable conditions are met.

U.S. Federal Register / Department of State · 2025-09-09

The Cyprus Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the European Commission (DG Trade & Economic Security) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), hosted the country's first Market Access Day (MAD) 2026 on 16 April 2026 in Limassol, presenting EU tools for removing trade barriers and strengthening exports. The event signals active government engagement with EU trade facilitation mechanisms ahead of the reporting window.

Cyprus Trade Service / Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry · 2026-04-16

Cyprus maintains restrictive biotechnology trade policies that diverge from standard EU practice, including a requirement for separate shelf placement of bioengineered products exceeding 0.9% GMO content and a zero-tolerance rule for biotech content in conventional seed imports, the latter requiring a Certificate of Non-Biotechnology for each shipment. These measures constitute a de facto non-tariff barrier relevant to agri-food and seed sector market entrants.

U.S. International Trade Administration / Trade.gov · 2026-04-21

Cyprus's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), approved by the European Commission in May 2021, channels approximately USD 1.2 billion in EU funding through 2026, with 41% directed to green transition projects and 23% to digital transition initiatives. Residual funding supports innovation and gender-equity reforms, creating structured procurement and partnership opportunities across infrastructure, energy, and digital sectors.

U.S. International Trade Administration / Trade.gov · 2026-04-21

Cyprus's professional services sector continues to position the island as a regional headquarters and international business hub, with the 10th Cyprus Professional Services Conference 2026 held on 21 April in Nicosia focusing on investment attraction from India and the United States, digital assets, gaming, and investment funds. The Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA) participation underscores the funds sector's centrality to the country's commercial value proposition.

Cyprus Business Now (CBN) · 2026-03-10

No significant macro-market data releases or central bank policy announcements specific to Cyprus were identified within the 8–22 May 2026 reporting window from primary sources.

Aperture editorial note · 2026-05-22

The newly operative FDI Screening Law introduces a two-phase review process: Phase 1 (initial assessment) and Phase 2 (substantive review of up to 65 working days), with statutory deadlines suspended upon any information request by the Cyprus FDI Authority. Market entrants in strategic sectors — including energy, telecommunications, financial services, education, and tourism — must factor pre-completion approval timelines into transaction structuring.

Norton Rose Fulbright · 2026-02-20

The U.S. International Trade Administration identifies energy exploration, natural gas trading, renewable energy storage, healthcare, shipping, and digital transformation as leading commercial opportunities in Cyprus, with EU recovery funds accelerating procurement activity in the digital and green sectors. U.S. trade and investment are explicitly welcomed across the island, with the bilateral relationship reinforced by the ITAR suspension.

U.S. International Trade Administration / Trade.gov · 2026-04-21

Cyprus's FDI stock remains heavily concentrated, with the Russian Federation (21.5%) and Luxembourg (18.9%) accounting for the largest shares, followed by the British Virgin Islands (5%) and Liechtenstein (4.8%). This ownership profile, combined with the new FDI screening law's five-year look-back provision and broad sector coverage, may prompt compliance reviews of existing investment structures involving non-EU ultimate beneficial owners.

Lloyds Bank Trade / International Trade Portal · 2026-02-01