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Press: MP blames former CB Governor

16/09/2002 08:58
Two main issues that dominate economic news reports today. First, the trade relations between Cyprus – European Union, with Italy and Greece being first in Cypriot imports and Britain and Greece being the major buyers of Cypriot exports. Second, the hints dropped by mp Georgios Georgiou against the Governor of the Central Bank Afxentis Afxentiou concerning his permission for currency exports and liquidation of £181.000 during the controversial period of the Stock Exchange scandal.

Major issue in “Economy” inset of newspaper “Phileleftheros” is the trade relation between Cyprus and European Union. Under the title “EU: first trade associate of Cyprus”, it is mentioned that Union is still the major trade partner of Cyprus, with Italy and Greece leading in Cypriot exports. As far as imports are concerned, exports’ main buyers are Greece and Britain.

According to Statistical Service data, total imports for local consumption during the first three months reached £525 million, with EU representing 54.5% or £286 million. As for exports during the same period, the amount is £59 million, with Britain buying exports of £28.5 million and Greece £10 million.

It is also mentioned that the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Nikos Rolandes, will shortly submit the first part of the strategic plan for tourism to the cabinet, scheduled on 2005.

Newspaper “Simerini” under the title “File opening for exports and liquidation of 181.000 pounds” reports that the sub-committee of the Audit Committee will deal with the file of the scandal period in Cyprus Stock Exchange. The report will include the statements of the MP and president of the sub-committee Georgios Georgiou. Mr. Georgiou for the first time drops hints against Afxentis Afxentiou. “The Central Bank officials made a great effort to give a complete picture of the foreign companies in which the various investments were directed and they controlled the situation as needed”, Mr. Georgiou stated.; he further stated , that “in most cases, despite the lack of data, the ratification of applications was given by the Governor himself”.

The newspaper also reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission will conduct investigations into the financial accounts of Stock Exchange brokerages to ascertain their their reliability.

Newspaper “Alithia” deals with the issue of the two Airbus 319-100 purchases made by Cyprus Airways, whose proprietary status will be examined by the Parliament Board of Economics. The two aircrafts were leased, which means that both aircrafts will be property of a leaser -company in Ireland under the name Agrino Leasing up to 12 years, until CA discharge the loan to the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.