Qatar has proven an curiosity in taking over the operating of the Larnaca port, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades stated on Thursday.
Talking to the Cyprus Information Company (CNA), he stated the Qatari curiosity within the port comes alongside a “common curiosity” proven by the overseas funding funds of assorted international locations which have “observed Cyprus’ good financial scenario and want to make investments”.
He added that Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s go to to Cyprus earlier within the week had been “exploratory in its nature, along with its ceremonial nature”, and that he considers the dialogue relating to Larnaca’s marina and port to be a part of the context of that go to.
“We intend to proceed with the re-tendering of the challenge … and we hope that when that is accomplished, each Qatar and different buyers can be inquisitive about collaborating on this tender,” he stated.
He added that the curiosity proven is “vital” for the federal government because it “reveals us that Cyprus is enticing as an funding vacation spot”.
Transferring on to the subsequent steps for the port after the federal government tore up its contract with earlier contractor Kition Ocean Port on Monday, he stated he expects the port’s administration to be transferred again to his ministry by the top of Thursday.
As soon as that has occurred, a gathering can be organised with members of the local people on Friday, earlier than a timetable for the announcement and holding of a brand new tender can be drawn up.
He added that President Nikos Christodoulides had given “clear directions” that he desires the problem to be dealt with “instantly” and that he requested for a schedule to be ready for the subsequent steps.
After Friday’s assembly, he stated, he’ll report again to Christodoulides relating to the outcomes of the assembly and subsequently provide you with the subsequent steps for the port’s tender course of.
Requested to touch upon the federal government’s placing of a deal on Wednesday night time to make sure that 72 port staff who had been laid off by Kiiton wouldn’t be left and not using a job, he stated the settlement is “excellent” and that it highlights the federal government’s curiosity in staff.
“I feel the answer which has been discovered reveals how deep our curiosity is and that the subsequent day for the employees can be a very good day,” he stated.
He added that no issues are anticipated relating to the service of ships on the port going ahead.
“We’re more than happy as a result of the port didn’t cease working for a single minute, and that the wants of the financial system have thus been served,” he stated.
“We take into account it a hit that Cyprus was not disadvantaged of this port, this important infrastructure.”
The federal government had on Monday scrapped its contract with Kition for the event of the Larnaca port and marina over the corporate’s failure to pay a requisite monetary assure.
Kition then despatched discover of dismissal to all its staff on the port on Tuesday night time, earlier than talks lasting 4 hours on Wednesday night between Vafeades, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou, and commerce union representatives led to a deal which ensured the employees’ future.
