Front Page Headlines
They’re stuck in the middle
Two men, one a Republic of Cyprus (Roc) citizen, the other a Portuguese national, who were stuck in the north after the crossings closed in March have been unable to return to their homes for months. Both crossed into the north on March 1 but were stuck in the north. The two, Hyrum Freespirit Fairbanks and Jose Manuel who have been living in tents in Kumyalı (Koma tou Gialou) for months tried to cross to the south the other day but were denied entry by RoC officials. After efforts by the United Nations (UN) failed, the two men set up tent near the Metehan (Agios Dhometios) crossing point. Police at the checkpoint provided the two with meals.
Ceased Print/Online Only
We cannot compete
According to the competitiveness report prepared by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), the north fell 18 places in one year and ranked 107th place among 141 countries. The overall points received for the north’s competitiveness was 55.2 out of 100 in 2018 but dropped to 51.8 in the 2019-2020 report. Bureaucratic obstacles in establishing businesses, poor professional education quality and the points given by the business community to the overall economy have resulted in a decrease in the north’s competitiveness.
N/A
Does anyone know?
As health organisations point out that the TRNC can conduct a maximum of 300 PCR tests a day, questions have been raised as to what kind of preparations are being carried out by the health ministry for the period following July 1. The government’s announcement that tourism will resume as of July 1 along with the start of crossings has raised a new debate. Currently, PCR tests are only being carried out at hospitals. The head of the Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association Özlem Gürkut says it is not known how the ministry will proceed. Head of TIP-İŞ Ahmet Varış questioned how it will be possible to carry out PCR tests for 10,000 people who might want to cross when the hospital is only able to carry out 2000 tests per week.
- Focus on three sectors – Casinos opening in South Cyprus today.
- No fear of ‘corona’ – Panic was experienced after South’s first tourists flocked to Nava Disco.
A dangerous gateway for Cyprus
The death toll reached 4,778 in Turkey, which is experiencing a surge in the number of cases. The total number of cases in Turkey has reached 175,218. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, “The surge is the result of complacency and false optimism” and urged everyone to adhere to social distancing and hygiene rules. The Turkish Science Board recommended the health authorities to implement a curfew. The Turkish Cypriot officials, on the other hand, included Turkey in the list of low-risk countries and gave them a priority. The cabinet’s decision has caused concern among the citizens. They are asking “Have we been living under lockdown all this time for no reason?”
Main News
TC side ranked 107th in competitiveness report
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Economy
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot side ranks 107th among 141 countries, slipping 18 places in one year, according to the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce’s 2019-2020 competitiveness report.
The Republic of Cyprus (RoC) on the other hand ranks 44th.
The north received 51.8 points out of 100 for the 2019-2020 report however it was 55.2 for the report published in 2018.
Bureaucratic obstacles and red tape; poor education quality and the points given by the business community to the overall economy are also determining factors for the fall in the north’s competitiveness.
The report, which was penned by economists Dr Yenal Süreç and Assoc Prof Dr Fehiman Eminer, focused on the state incentives and various subsidies.
According to the report, state schemes should be redesigned to increase competitiveness in the mid and long terms.
“The goal of the incentive schemes currently in force should be to achieve economic development through the mobilization of investors to increase production, employment and export capacity,” the report said.
It added the success of the incentives can be determined by looking at whether or not the desired improvements have been made.
The report also highlighted the importance of being able to measure the overall goals in the support and incentive schemes as both natural and financial resources are limited in the north.
It moreover emphasized the need for a central authority to manage and coordinate the incentive schemes.
Currently, each ministry is responsible for implementing its own incentive scheme.
Urging the authorities to be more diligent in selecting their focus areas for incentives, the report also emphasized that the schemes must be structured in a more open, transparent and simple manner without bureaucratic obstacles or difficulties.
“The state policies on incentives and other support schemes must be focused on increasing the competitiveness of the Turkish Cypriot economy and to carry it to the future,” the report concluded.
Turgay Deniz, President of KTTO, in his address during the launch of the report, urged the authorities to adopt comprehensive economic measures to revive the Turkish Cypriot economy.
He added the chronic problems in the north have negatively affected the economy in the north and more specifically during the coronavirus pandemic period.
“Structural reforms must be implemented to increase the north’s competitiveness,” Deniz said and added: “Courageous steps must be taken.”
Deniz noted the government’s responsibility is to ensure cash flow into the market while removing the burden on the businesses.
He also noted the ₺1,500 (€197) salary support scheme must continue to curb unemployment.
“The government must effectively utilize its limited resources to protect the consumers. The north needs incentives that will increase the production while increasing the quality,” Deniz concluded.
Neither Turkey nor the TC side was consulted
Kıbrıs Postası
Internal Security, Territory
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday said that the entry into force of a regulation regarding the use of privately owned property within the British Sovereign Bases, which was signed between the Greek Cypriot Administration and the United Kingdom (UK) in 2014, is unacceptable.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said the fact that Turkey as a guarantor country and the Turkish Cypriot side both which were signatories of 1960 Treaties were not consulted timely on the content of this regulation, which entails a change of status in the base areas, was unacceptable.
“Within this framework, we support the statements of the TRNC authorities on this matter. In these areas, not only Greek Cypriots but also Turkish Cypriots have immovable properties, as well as indispensable rights and interests,” he added.
Aksoy said that the United Kingdom, which is also a guarantor, has ignored the Turkish Cypriots once again with the implementation of this regulation and damaged the balance between the parties on the island, the principle of political equality and therefore efforts towards the settlement of the Cyprus issue.