ODESA, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2012, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE ― Vice-mayor of Odesa Svetlana Bedrega stated the business forum “Ukraine―Cyprus: the New Era of Economic Relations” will extend the relationships between Odesa and the cities of Cyprus, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

Mrs Bedrega stated today, 27 September, at the official opening of the Business Forum “Ukraine-Cyprus: the New Era of Economic Relations”.

Cyprus is one of Ukraine’s priority partners among the European countries as far as economy, investment and tourism are concerned. An important step in the strengthening of our friendly relations was the first official visit of the President of Cyprus to Ukraine in July 2011. A very important intergovernmental agreement on economic, scientific, technical and industrial cooperation was signed in the framework of this visit. The official opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus to Ukraine and the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in Odesa plays a great role in building up our relations.

For many years, Odesa maintains productive relations with Nicosia and Larnaca, Cyprus. In the total volume of direct foreign investment in our city’s economy Cyprus occupies almost a quarter. Only this year, foreign trade amounted to nearly USD 70 million. The Republic of Cyprus provides 30% of an overall of the imported services to Odesa.

“The purpose of this forum is to improve all of these indices. And I think such forum will extend the business relationships with the cities of Cyprus”, Mrs Bedrega noted.

As reported before, Business Forum “Ukraine―Cyprus: the New Era of Economic Relations” is held 27―28 September in Odesa.