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A small business can find a funding program that fits its plans and still struggle to get through the application. A company looking to expand can spend months waiting for a decision without knowing when it will come. Those were among the barriers business and finance leaders pointed to Monday at The Economist’s 22nd Annual Cyprus Summit in Nicosia.
Cyprus has attracted foreign investment that has helped create jobs and grow the economy, panelists said. The next test is whether companies already operating on the island can expand here. That depends in part on whether they can get financing, find out how long approvals will take, and resolve disputes without leaving projects in limbo.
The panel, titled “Investing in turbulent times: Make it simple,” brought together European Investment Bank Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris, Invest Cyprus Chairman Evgenios Evgeniou, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Stavros Stavrou, PwC Cyprus CEO and Chairman Andreas Yiasemides, and Christina Ioannidou, a partner at Ioannides Demetriou. Kathimerini Cyprus was a media sponsor of the summit.
When funding is available but hard to reach
The burden falls especially hard on smaller businesses. Large companies tend to have more staff and resources to meet lenders’ requirements or navigate a lengthy application. For a small firm, strict eligibility rules and complex paperwork can put financing out of reach, whether it comes from an EU program or a private lender.
Panelists said the amount of money available tells only part of the story. How businesses apply for it, and whether the process is manageable for a small team, can determine whether that money ever reaches the companies it was meant to help.
A clear answer and a date
The same uncertainty can hold up bigger deals. A merger or acquisition can require reviews by several authorities, leaving companies to work out who is responsible for each step and when they can expect a decision. Panelists said earlier discussions with regulators, better coordination, and a single point of contact would make it easier for businesses to plan.
They also called for faster resolution of commercial disputes and pointed to specialized courts as one way to give companies more certainty. A case that drags on can leave an investment on hold while the parties wait for a ruling.
The discussion came against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, higher energy costs, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Technology can help businesses and public services work faster, speakers said, while judgment, transparency, and accountability remain central to keeping investors’ trust.
For Cyprus and Europe more broadly, the panel’s message was practical. Clear deadlines and simpler procedures can help businesses decide whether to expand and hire, while regulators keep the checks needed to assess risk.
