Address by the President of the
Republic
,
Mr Nicos
Anastasiades,
at the Cyprus Shipping Chamber official
dinner
On behalf of the Cyprus Government, I would like to
extend a warm welcome to all of you, and particularly to all those who have come
from abroad.
Wishing to tangibly express my Government’s strong
support towards the shipping industry once again, I gladly placed the “Official
Gala Dinner” organised by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber this evening, under my
auspices. For me personally, it is indeed a great pleasure to have here as my
guests the “elite” of international shipping, the Members of the International
Chamber of Shipping.
The pleasure is even bigger, taking also into account
another special occasion indeed.
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
Twenty
five years ago, a few shipping entrepreneurs had a vision; a vision of
establishing an organisation that would ‘Navigate Cyprus Worldwide’. The
creation of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber has facilitated the turning of this
vision into reality. With a mission, not only to preserve Cyprus’ prominent
position in world shipping, but also to improve and further develop it.
The 25th year anniversary
of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber comes at the aftermath of the recent adverse financial developments in Cyprus. In this context, as the shipping
sector constitutes a crucial part of our economy and one of the main pillars of
growth, there is no doubt that shipping has played a leading role in our effort
for recovery.
Today, just over a year since the Troika Loan Agreement
for Cyprus was made, I am pleased to tell you that the Cyprus economy is well
under way for full recovery.
We have repeatedly and timely met the obligations we
have undertaken against our lenders for structural reform, restoring the
soundness of the Cyprus banking system, as well as public spending.
In fact, as a direct result of the corrective measures
taken by the Cyprus Government, some of which have admidetly been quite painfull
for the people of Cyprus, it is expected that by the end of this month Cyprus
will be able to return to the international financial markets, a full year ahead
of schedule.
In making these quite positive achievements in such a
short period of time, the Shipping Chamber has played an important and
invaluable part, by projecting Cyprus as a reliable maritime centre and that
the shipping operational and taxation
infrastructure in Cyprus and the Cyprus flag remain intact, fully operational
and very competitive. For this commendable cooperation and loyalty, my
Government publicly expresses its sincere appreciation towards the
Member-Companies of the Chamber.
In return, the Government is
determined to introduce those mechanisms necessary to support this important
sector, as well as enhance it further, always in close cooperation with the
Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Towards that aim, I urge the Chamber to continue
working creatively, taking into account the new potentials created by the recent
discovery of natural
gas and possibly also oil, in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus.
Dear ICS Members,
I understand that, as part of your Annual General
Meeting starting tomorrow, you had today a very productive meeting with a number
of important Maritime Administrations from around the world, some of whom, I am
pleased to note, are also attending tonight’s event. I am sure that all of you,
and especially the hosting Cyprus Maritime Administration, have greatly
benefited from this innovative and productive Shipping Summit.
In addition, whilst wishing all ICS Members a very
constructive Annual General Meeting and stay the next two days in Limassol, I
express our country’s gratitude for ICS’s sterling support and cooperation
towards Cyprus shipping. The Cyprus Shipping Chamber speaks very highly of the
excellent work that ICS carries out for the benefit of international shipping
and by extension, world trade.
Dear ICS Chairman and Members,
Keep up the good
work!
Closing, whilst wishing all of you an enjoyable evening,
I sincerely congratulate the Cyprus Shipping Chamber for its 25-year solid
contribution towards the economy and the overall society of Cyprus.
I wish the Chamber every success in its future
endeavours as the true “Voice of the Cyprus Shipping Industry”, and I reassure
you that my Government will remain a reliable partner in your efforts.
