Cyprus’ primary sector in dire need of support

It is high time to improve Cyprus’ primary sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), President Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday.

“It is not possible for a country like Cyprus to have a less than 2 per cent share of its primary sector for GDP,” he told attendees at a rural culture festival in Farmakas.

“Therefore, we have started a concerted effort, together with the agricultural organisations and all stakeholders, so that we can strengthen the contribution of the primary sector to the GDP of our country.”

Christodoulides said cabinet had recently adopted a strategy seeking to substantially support the primary sector.

“I really believe that we have unique products. We have all the infrastructure that is needed. Yes, there are difficulties, for example water because of climate change and some other challenges, which we will address through the strategy so as to achieve this goal.”

He also said that a plan for the resettlement of young couples in the mountainous areas was recently announced, noting that due to the high interest in the plan he has requested an increase in the amount allocated, “so that we can bring our people back to our mountainous areas.”