Cyprus is rapidly establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing fund jurisdictions in Europe, now hosting over 330 registered investment funds and sub-funds with Assets Under Management (AUM) exceeding €10.7 billion. This significant growth was highlighted by Maria Panayiotou, President of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA), at the 11th Cyprus International Funds Summit & Expo.
Sector Growth and Economic Impact
Speaking at the summit, co-organized by CIFA and Invest Cyprus, Panayiotou emphasized the sector’s tangible contribution to the island’s economy.
“Cyprus has evolved into one of Europe’s fastest-growing fund jurisdictions… Almost €3 billion is invested into the real economy of the country—proof of the sector’s real and growing contribution,” she stated.
The event itself drew a large international audience of fund managers, policymakers, and institutional investors, reaffirming Cyprus’ increasing status as a global center for fund administration, structuring, and capital flow management.
Strategic Partnerships and Regulatory Commitment
Cyprus is actively working to leverage its position as a well-regulated, EU-based partner for global markets:
- Outward Focus: Panayiotou stressed the importance of international cooperation, noting that Cyprus is “building new pathways for cooperation with Greece, India, and the broader Gulf region.”
- Regulatory Assurance: Dr. George Theocharides, Chairman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. He stressed CySEC’s goal to strengthen the jurisdiction’s image as a “trusted, dynamic, and forward-looking” hub on the European and global stage.
Industry Outlook and Future Focus
Marios Tannousis, CEO of Invest Cyprus, underscored the fund sector’s pivotal role in the country’s overall strategy to be a competitive investment destination. He pointed to the island’s stable regulatory environment, robust professional services, and strategic geographic access to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as key advantages.
The Summit’s discussions, which included insights from global names like BlackRock and Apollo, centered on several future growth themes for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs):
- Market Dynamics: Future market outlooks, capital raising, and cross-border distribution in a decentralized environment.
- Investment Trends: The expansion of private equity, venture capital, and impact investing.
- Global Role: Cyprus’ role as an entry point into the EU for emerging markets, notably India’s AIF ecosystem.
Attendees also discussed the need for Cyprus to maintain a competitive tax and regulatory framework while integrating ESG standards and utilizing Fintech solutions to drive the next phase of growth.
Source: Stockwatch.com.cy