The transition to a more sustainable development model is a shared goal of the State, the Government, and the private sector, said on Thursday evening, the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, in his remarks at the dinner hosted by the Cyprus Federation of Building Contractors, which took place in Nicosia

According to President Christodoulides, in addition to its contribution to the country’s economic activity, the construction sector makes a significant contribution to job creation, supports a wide range of related professions and businesses, plays a decisive role in strengthening regional development and, above all, in shaping the environment in which citizens live and work.

“Our country is currently undergoing a period of substantial transformation. The changes and demands of the modern economy, technological advancements, and the need for sustainable development call for a state that is clearly more flexible and effective, capable of supporting entrepreneurship, creating the conditions for new investments, and promoting economic growth—which in turn allows us, as the government, to implement targeted social policies. “Because without strong economic growth, the state cannot implement strong economic policy,” he continued.

He added that in this context, the government is promoting a broad reform program aimed at modernizing procedures, reducing administrative burdens, and leveraging technology for the benefit of citizens and the economy.

He then highlighted the reform of the development permitting system being promoted by the Ministry of the Interior, noting that by simplifying procedures, the introduction of digital tools, and the establishment of specific timelines, the goal is to substantially reduce the time required to implement an investment, while maintaining high levels of transparency, safety, and quality.

“I am truly pleased, because the initial results confirm that we are on the right track. The significant acceleration in the issuance of permits for new residential developments—with nearly 3,000 residential units and approximately 1,000 apartment buildings being approved within 40 and 80 business days, respectively, proves that when the government is committed, it can operate more efficiently, creating better conditions both for economic growth and for strengthening our country’s competitiveness, as well as for addressing critical social challenges,” he emphasized.

“One of the most important issues and challenges we are called upon to address today is citizens’ access—particularly that of young people and young families—to quality and affordable housing,” President Christodoulides went on to say.

He added that the Government is implementing a comprehensive and holistic housing policy, which includes targeted programs, financial incentives, and institutional measures, aimed at increasing the housing supply and creating more housing options, adding that, as part of this effort, it has effectively reactivated the Cyprus Land Development Organization, which had been dormant since 2022, and through the Government’s actions, and through financial support, has been reactivated, bringing significant benefits to society.

“The success of this policy depends to a large extent on the dynamism of your sector. Without a strong, modern, and competitive construction industry, there can be no substantial increase in the country’s housing stock. All of you, the building contractors, are the ones who turn plans into reality. You are the ones who carry out investments, build new homes, and deliver projects that meet society’s real needs. Therefore, your industry’s ability to build homes quickly, quality, and in compliance with modern safety and energy efficiency standards, is a fundamental prerequisite for effectively addressing the housing challenge,” he continued.

“For this reason, as the government, we view and engage with the Federation of Cyprus Building Contractors’ Associations as an essential and strategic partner in implementing housing policy. Through ongoing dialogue and cooperation, we can create the conditions that will allow for an increase in the housing supply, keep construction costs in check, and create sustainable residential developments for the benefit of our society,” he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the government is working to modernize public services related to development and construction by reorganizing the operations of the relevant departments,  strengthening digital services, and simplifying procedures as key policies, so that citizens and businesses are served more quickly and clearly more effectively.

“The growth we seek is not measured solely by economic indicators. It is reflected in the quality of the projects we deliver, in the resilience of our infrastructure, in environmental protection, and—most importantly, at the end of the day—in the quality of life we offer our citizens. The transition, therefore, to a more sustainable development model is a shared goal of the State, the Government, and the private sector: The energy retrofitting of buildings, the use of innovative materials and technologies, the digitization of construction, and the integration of modern practices are now an integral part of our efforts toward a competitive and environmentally responsible economy,” he further emphasized.

He also described the maintenance of a relationship of trust between the government and the construction industry as equally important. “Open dialogue, institutional cooperation, and a shared commitment to quality, transparency, and accountability are the foundations upon which we are building a stronger and more resilient development model for our country. And I truly want to thank you for your cooperation because, through our frequent interactions and the fact that our goals are shared—which is clear to us—we are achieving results,” he added.

In closing, he congratulated the Federation of Cyprus Building Contractors’ Associations for its long-standing contributions. “I am confident that it will continue to serve as a responsible partner for the government and a valuable collaborator in our joint effort to build a Cyprus with modern infrastructure, more opportunities for citizens, and—most importantly—a better quality of life for our citizens,” he concluded.