The need to accelerate procedures delaying development projects

Press Release (9 December 2013)

Meeting between the Association of Large Scale Development Projects and Department of Town Planning and Housing

The need to update and accelerate procedures related to implementing large scale development projects was at the centre of discussions between the Acting Director of the Department of Town Planning and Housing, Mrs Athena Aristotelous, and the Association of Large Scale Development Projects’ Board of Directors.The visit follows the Association’s recent meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace.

Having informed Mrs Aristotelous on the Association’s role and targets, the Association’s Board members presented her with the procedures and dysfunctions that delay and even tie down large scale development projects. It is worth noting that these works, many of which are at a sufficiently mature level, include golf courses, marinas, health and wellness centres, theme parks, commercial and housing developments, and others. Participants discussed issues such as the need to speed up the process of planning permits, modernizing the licensing system and the content of the Policy Statement, which is expected to be announced soon.

The spokesman of the Association of Large Scale Development Projects, Mr Andreas Demetriades, said: “There must be simplification and acceleration of the procedures to implement large scale development projects, so as to create a friendly business environment.” He underlined that “the bureaucratic procedures that have historically put the brakes on development, must be overcome”. Mr Demetriades added that, “the onerous conditions attached to the authorisation of a project leads to an increase in its total cost, which has a negative impact on potential investors”. Mr Demetriades said that Mrs Aristotelous seemed especially interested in and understanding towards the issues that were posed to her, while she expressed the Department’s readiness to play a constructive role in resolving any problems.

The meeting was attended, on behalf of the Department of Town Planning and Housing, by Messrs Athena Aristotelous, Andy Constantinidou, Ermis Klokkaris, Michalis Kareklas, Georgios Vasiliou and Elena Tziamali, and on behalf of the Association, Messrs Theodoros Aristodemou, Marios Lanitis, Yiannakis Aristodemou, Photos Photiades, Dimis Karapatakis, Marios Panagides, Andreas Demetriades, Christos Petsides and Yiannos Papadopoulos.

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About the Association of Large Scale Development Projects

The mission of the Association of Large Scale Development Projects is to promote and realise large scale development projects in Cyprus. Its goal is to restart the economy and contain unemployment. The Association is a member of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and represents more than 25 companies active in Cyprus. The Association’s members come from the entire spectrum of the Cyprus economy and represent projects with a total value in excess of € 8 billion. Among the Association’s main priorities is the issue of creating a friendly business environment, so as to overcome barriers that discourage or eliminate foreign investors.