Ways for real and functional cooperation in all areas within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative were discussed during a seminar entitled "Chinese One Belt One Road Initiative and Cyprus’ role as a stepping stone into the Region”, that took place on Tuesday, June 6 in Nicosia.

The seminar was organized in the Chinese Embassy by the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy, between Cyprus – China Business Association and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, according to Cyprus News Agency.

 Addressing the seminar, Ambassador of China Huang Xingyuan said that there is huge potential for Cyprus and China to strengthen coordination of development plans and share common interests under the Initiative.

 "Both Chinese products and Cypriot products have their distinctive features, therefore both sides should take the opportunity of implementing preferential policies to achieve the target of the current trade volume being doubled and exceeding USD 1 billion within the next two years,” he said.

 He also said that during his visit there he signed with China an agreement of the "Mutual Recognition Agreement for Higher Education Titles" noting that this Agreement was actually the contribution of Cyprus and China together in the "People to People connectivity” concept, since the Agreement opens up new pathways in Cyprus–China cooperation, thus promoting connectivity of universities, researchers, academic personnel and students, from our two countries.

"Another area where there are significant prospects is tourism. We need to take all the necessary steps to boost touristic movement between the two countries by facilitating the issuing of visas and by improving the air connectivity.  We are confident that Cobalt will be instrumental in this direction" he concluded.”

Referring to the prospects for economic and trade cooperation, he said that Cyprus has five advantages, its geographical advantage, its EU membership, its social development advantages, economic advantages and its traditionally good political relations with China.

The Chinese official said that both sides should actively support enterprises to invest in key sectors, such as energy, electricity, telecommunications, shipping, ports, aviation, satellite, banking, tourism etc, while efforts should be made so that bilateral trade volume can return to growth, enhance people to people exchanges.

 "We should vigorously  support the development of e-commerce and other new business models, actively promote the export of Cyprus’ safe and high quality agricultural products as olive oil and wine and pay attention to early signing of the government protocol for dairy products to China so that Hallumi cheese can be served to Chinese customers”, he said.
 
 He also said that Cyprus may be a small country but it can potentially play an important role in China’s outbound investment plans.

 

source: http://www.goldnews.com.cy