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The relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and the UAE shows what strategic partnerships can deliver when they are built on trust, consistency, and a shared view of progress. Today, this partnership is evolving into a more structured economic agenda, designed to convert high-level engagement into measurable outcomes for trade and investment.

The recent visit of the President of the UAE to Cyprus, alongside senior officials, ministers, and business leaders, reaffirmed the depth of our bilateral ties and the appetite to expand them. It reinforced Cyprus’s role as a reliable European partner in a region where stability and predictability carry increasing value, and it set a forward-looking tone for the next phase of cooperation.

A Structured Platform For Cooperation

This momentum was further strengthened through the Cyprus-UAE high-level roundtable hosted at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nicosia on 13 December 2025, in collaboration with Invest Cyprus and the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus.

A key milestone was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Cyprus-UAE Joint Business and Investment Council. The Council provides a standing platform to identify opportunities, coordinate stakeholders, and reduce friction that can delay investment decisions. Invest Cyprus is fully committed to driving closer collaboration with the UAE, and this mechanism can act as a catalyst in this direction. 

Officials from Cyprus and the UAE sign a memorandum of understanding establishing the Cyprus–UAE Joint Business and Investment Council during a high-level business roundtable in Nicosia on December 13, 2025.

Cyprus as an EU Gateway For UAE and GCC Investment

Cyprus continues to stand out as a compelling European Union destination, supported by a robust legal framework, strategic geography, and highly skilled human capital. These fundamentals are reinforced by strong macroeconomic performance. Cyprus is among the fastest-growing economies in the EU, operates at near full employment, has reduced public debt below 60% of GDP, and maintains an “A” credit rating from major international rating agencies.

For partners from the UAE and the wider GCC, Cyprus offers direct access to the EU Single Market and a sophisticated, English-speaking professional services ecosystem. This combination supports efficient market entry, regulatory certainty, and long-term stability for companies seeking a European foothold.

Delegates and officials pose for a group photograph outside the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Nicosia during the Cyprus–UAE high-level business roundtable.

Where Collaboration Can Scale

Bilateral cooperation is increasingly focused on sectors that are investment-ready and aligned with both countries’ priorities. The recent roundtable discussions highlighted areas including shipping, energy, technology, automation, and multi-thematic projects that combine infrastructure, digital solutions, and sustainable development.

Technology is a strong illustration of Cyprus’s evolution. Today, Cyprus is home to more than 800 technology-driven companies across ICT, fintech, gaming, and technology-enabled services. The ICT sector contributes, directly and indirectly, around 14% of GDP, and Cyprus ranks third in the EU in terms of growth in this sector. In 2024, foreign investment in technology increased by more than 200%, while the number of ICT professionals more than doubled in just three years.

Cyprus is also strengthening its innovation infrastructure. Regulatory tools such as the Capital Markets Commission sandbox, the Central Bank’s Innovation Hub, and the upcoming AI Sandbox are positioning Cyprus as a credible place where new solutions can be tested, scaled, and deployed into a market of 450 million EU citizens.

Beyond investment fundamentals, the human dimension matters. Cyprus offers quality of life and a supportive ecosystem for international professionals and their families, backed by a strong academic and research base, including 12 universities, 9 research institutes, and 7 centres of excellence.

Turning Momentum Into Outcomes

At Invest Cyprus, our role is to help investors move from interest to execution, and from establishment to expansion, acting as a bridge between investors and the state.  The Cyprus-UAE Joint Business and Investment Council adds a practical channel to sustain engagement and accelerate cooperation across priority sectors.

Cyprus, like the UAE, demonstrates that ambition is not constrained by size. The next chapter is about delivery, targeted sector partnerships, investment flows, and results, and we invite UAE and GCC investors to explore the avenues available in Cyprus, the reliable EU partner positioned to support regional and global growth.

 — Marios Tannousis is CEO of Invest Cyprus, Member of the Board of the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA), and Co-Founder and member of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA).