organiser:
with support of:
principal sponsor:
Successful Business Magazine
18-19 october 2015 / Four Seasons hotel / limassol / cyprus
Report
sponsors:
18-19 october 2015 Four Seasons hotel limassol / cyprus Natalia Kardash, the Founder and the Moderator of the conference Publisher of the SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Magazine. “Our vision to make Cyprus a place for face-to-face communication among people from different countries is not new. For centuries, this island was serving as a bridge between East and West, Asia, Africa and Europe. Вest Invest conference is just a continuation of this great tradition of hospitality. The Successful Business magazine is a local Cypriot publication. For many years we work for the Russian business community of Cyprus and that is why we were always in a position to connect two business worlds - Cypriot and Russian. The magazine has also organized seminars,
Best Invest Conference The Best Invest Cyprus conference and exhibition took place in Limassol on 18-19 October 2015. The event was attended by over 160 participants, including investment funds, banks, venture capital funds, individual investors and project sponsors.
conferences, forums in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan to reinforce bilateral business relations. Now we move further. This event brought together people from 14 countries. We are sure that the BEST INVEST Conference-2016 will gather twice more participants from at least 15 different countries.”
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Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Best Invest Exhibition The event began with an Exhibition of 26 Investment Projects. Attending the exhibition were exhibitors from different economic segments, such as Pafilia Developers, the CYPV Energy Company, Oesterreichischer Lloyd Shipping Company, Zap!, Leptos Estates, CYFIELD and other firms. The exhibition was opened by Minister Yiorgos Lakotryppis, Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, who affirmed that despite the difficult economic crisis of 2013, the Cyprus government was determined to create a more attractive regulatory environment for foreign and domestic investments, and was particularly interested in promoting investments in shipping, energy and tourism.
The 26 investment projects attracted significant attention over the two day-event.
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Svetlana Kalogera, representative of the event’s principal sponsor, RCB Bank
Exhibition of investment projects
Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism; Natalia Kardash, Chairwoman, Best Invest Organizational Committee; Demetris Syllouris, Chairman, EVROKO
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Best Invest Conference The Best Invest Conference was inaugurated by Mayor of Limassol, Andreas Christou. Limassol is the site of some of the major inward investments in Cyprus. Keynote projects include the purchase and total renovation of the Le Meridien Hotel as well as keynote property projects such as Del Mar, ONE and others.
Mayor of Limassol, Andreas Christou
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First Plenary Session The first morning plenary session provided delegates with an overview of the major policy initiatives underway in Cyprus. The keynote speakers included: • HE Mr. Constantinos Petrides, Deputy Minister to the President of Cyprus • Sir Christopher Pissarides, Chairman, Economic Council of Cyprus • Mr. Constantinos Herodotou, State Commissioner on Privatisations • Mr. Constantinos Messios, Director, CD Messios LLC • Mrs. Demetra Kalogerou, Chairwoman, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission • Mr. Thomas Kazakos, Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber Some key findings from the morning plenary session included: • The Cyprus economy is recovering. GDP growth is expected to be positive in 2016. Cyprus will shortly launch its first private sector bond offering. • Since beginning its investment promotion campaign to attract international investment funds, Cyprus has attracted over 200 funds. • Since beginning its investor citizenship programme, Cyprus has attracted over €2 billion in investment relating to this programme. • Major privatisations are being prepared, including the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA), the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), the Port of Limassol and state property assets. • An international tender for the development of the Cyprus Casino has been launched. There are several other initiatives underway, including the development of the Paralimni Marina.
Sir Christophoros Pissarides Chairman, Economic Council of Cyprus
HE Mr. Constantinos Petrides, Under Secretary to the President of Cyprus
Mr. Constantinos Herodotou, State Commissioner on Privatisations
Mr. Constantinos Messios, Director, CD Messios LLC
Mrs. Demetra Kalogerou, Chairwoman, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
Mr. Thomas Kazakos, Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber
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Second Plenary Session The second plenary session focussed on new sources of finance in Cyprus, and methods of protecting investments in Cyprus. With the 2013 Cyprus bail-in fresh in investors’ minds, investors are understandably cautious about renewed investments in Cyprus. The session addressed a number of strategies and commitments for protecting investments in Cyprus. The keynote speakers were: • Dr. Libor Krkoska, European Bank for Reconstruction & Development • Dr. Vladimir Zrazhewsky, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, RCB Bank • Mr. Andreas Sofocleous, Chief Executive Officer, A. Sofocleous & Co LLC • Mr. Angelos Gregoriades, President, Cyprus Investment Fund Association • Mr. Alexander Shkuratov, Managing Director, Pride Capital • Mr. Andreas Koupparis, Chairman, Cyprus Business Angel Network • Mr. Dmitry Morozov, Chairman, CYPV Group Key findings include: • The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is present in both Greece and Cyprus. It has already participated in the recapitalisation of Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank, and has several other projects under study. The EBRD offers a mix a debt and equity financing, as well as trade finance. • RCB Bank has developed into the second-largest Cyprus bank by assets, and has no non-performing loans (NPL). The bank is already present in over 50 countries and is ready to invest. • Investment funding from private equity and angel investors is available in Cyprus. Both categories of funding have clearly-defined credit criteria, and are targeting specific sectors. • The structuring of investments via an investment fund, together with the advantages of the Cyprus Investor Citizenship Programme, provide a powerful combination for investors in Cyprus.
Vladimir Zrazhewsky, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, RCB Bank Dmitry Morozov, Chairman, CYPV Group
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Alexander Shkuratov, Managing Director, Pride Capital
Angelos Gregoriades, President, Cyprus Investment Fund Association
Andreas Sofocleous, Chief Executive Officer, A. Sofocleous & Co LLC
Libor Krkoska, European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
Andreas Koupparis, Chairman, Cyprus Business Angel Network
Afternoon Thematic Sessions Four thematic sessions were held in the afternoon: Property, Renewable Investments, Tourism and Technology / Shipping. The objective of the thematic sessions was to gain an overview of trends in each domain by high qualified speakers, who could also be approached by potential investors or other interested partners after the session. The mix of views and opinions was indeed impressive. The speakers included: Tourism • Mr. Zacharias Ioannides, Director General, Cyprus Hotel Association • Mrs. Victoria Ksenodohkova, Director, Prometheus Travel • Mr. Pambos Solomonides, Managing Director of MICE & More
Renewable Energy Investments • Mr. George Georgiou, CEO, CYPV Energy • Mr. Andreas Georgallis, COO, Elements Capital Partners • Mr. Christos Zivanas, Technical Director, Petrolina Solar
Property • Mr. George Leptos, President of Leptos Estates • Mrs Lyra Amvrosidou, CEO, Property Gallery Developers and Constructors • Dr. Nicos Michaelas, Managing Director, Demetra Investments
Technology and Shipping Investments • Mr. Valeriy Romanyuk, Vice President, Russian Investment Agency • Mr. Christos Symeou, Founder, Blupath • Captain Eberhard Koch, Chairman and CEO of Oesterreichischer Lloyd Seereederei
Tourism Investments thematic session. Pambos Solomonides, MICE & More, Victoria Ksenodokhova, Prometheus Travel, Zacharias Ioannides, Cyprus Hotel Association
Renewable Energy Investments thematic session. Christos Divanas, Petrolina Solar, Andreas Georgiades, Elements Capital Partners, Timotheos Timotheou, CYPV Group
Property Investments thematic session. George Leptos, Leptos Group, Lyra Amvrosidou, Property Gallery Developers and Constructors, Nikos Michaelas, Demetra Investments
Technology Investments thematic session. Christos Symeou, Blupath, Eberhard Koch, Oesterreichischer Lloyd Seereederei, Valery Romanyuk, Invest in Russia Agency
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Presentation of the Investment Migration Council Mr. Bruno L’ecuyer presented the operations of the newlyformed Investment Migration Council. The IMC brings together the leading stakeholders in the field and giving the industry a voice. The IMC sets the standards on a global level and interacts with other professional associations, governments and international organisations in relation to investment migration. The IMC helps to improve public understanding of the issues faced by clients and governments in this area and promotes education and high professional standards among its members.
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HE Harris Georgiades, Minister of Finance of Cyprus
Closing Plenary Session The Best Invest Conference closed with a panel discussion featuring HE Harris Georgiades, Minister of Finance of Cyprus, and HE Dr. George Vassiliou, former President of Cyprus, who discussed the economic strategy of Cyprus in light of recent developments and policy commitments. Of interest was the determination of the Finance Minister to continue the pace of reforms despite the significant political challenges involved. HE Dr. George Vassiliou, former President of Cyprus (right) addresses to the audience
Moderators of the session Mr. Philip Ammerman, Managing Partner of Navigator Consulting Group (right)
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Our valuable guests and participants The event was attended by over 160 participants from 14 countries
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List of participants Name
Country
Name
Country
Mrs. Adelina Santis
Cyprus/Bulgaria
Mr. Christos Divanas
Cyprus
Capt. Aleksander Legowski
Cyprus
Mr. Chrysovalantis Georgiou
Cyprus
Mr. Aleksandr Korneev
Cyprus
Mr. Constantinos Herodotou
Cyprus
Mr. Alexander Arzhakov
Cyprus/Russia
Mr. Constantinos
Cyprus
Mr. Alexander Kotelnikov
Cyprus/Russia
Mr. Constantinos Petrides
Cyprus
Mr. Alexander Shkuratov
Russia
Dr. Daniel H. Brüllmann
Switzerland
Mrs. Alexandra Zagorskaya
Cyprus
Mrs. Demetra Kalogerou
Cyprus
Mr. Alexandre Kupriyanov
Cyprus/Russia
Mr. Demetris Koutalis
Cyprus
Mr. Alexey Syroezhkin
Cyprus
Mr. Demetris Prodromou
Mauritius
Mr. Alyssa Alken
Cyprus
Ms. Despina Papaefstafiou
Cyprus
Mr. Anastasia Lukina
Cyprus
Mr. Dmitriy Korobov
Russia
Mrs. Anastasia Yianni
Cyprus
Mr. Dmitriy Kozlov
Russia
Mr. Andreas Andreou
Cyprus
Mr. Dmitry Morozov
Cyprus
Mr. Andreas Kosta
Cyprus
Mr. Dmytriy Slutsky
Hong Kong
Mr. Andreas Yiasemides
Cyprus
Capt. Eberhard Koch
Cyprus
Mr. Andreas Georgallis
Cyprus
Mrs. Eleanora Kuznesova
Cyprus
Mr. Andreas Koupparis
Cyprus
Mrs. Elena Bogatova
Cyprus
Mr. Andreas Sofocleous
Cyprus
Mr. George Diamanti
Cyprus
Mr. Andreas Christou
Cyprus
Mr. George Theodosiou
Cyprus
Mr. Andreas Georgiou
Cyprus
Mr. George Georgiou
Cyprus
Mr. Andrei Trilev
Cyprus
Mr. George Stephanides
Greece
Mr. Andrey Korneev
Slovakia
Mr. George Vassiliou
Cyprus
Mr. Andrey Gurov
Slovakia
Mr. Georgios Prodromou
Cyprus
Mr. Andrie Theocharous
Cyprus
Mr. Guido Cerboni
Italy/Cyprus
Mr. Andronikos Antoniou
Cyprus
Mr. Hani El Ghoul
Cyprus
Mr. Angelos Gregoriades
Cyprus
Mr.Harris Georgiades
Cyprus
Mrs. Anna Romanenko
Cyprus/Russia
Mr. Igor Ermilin
Cyprus
Ms. Aphrodite Kyriakou
Cyprus
Mr. Igor Kochetok
Cyprus
Mr. Aris Gregoriades
Cyprus
Mr. Igor Shishkin
Cyprus
Mr. Boris Korobov
Russia
Mr. Iness Karayianni
Cyprus
Dr. Bruno L’ecuyer
Switzerland
Ms. Ioanna Elena Markidou
Cyprus
Mr. Charalambos Solomonides
Germany
Mrs. Irina Apolonova
Cyprus
Mr. Charalambos Economou
Cyprus
Mrs. Irina Delgado
Cyprus
Mr. Chris Charalambous
Cyprus
Mrs. Irina Shalabanova
Cyprus
Mrs. Christina Aristodemou
Cyprus
Mr. Jacovos Georgiou
Cyprus
Mrs. Christina Sofocleous
Cyprus
Mr. James Wong
Hong Kong
Mr. Christoforos Stylianides
Cyprus
Mr. Kateryna Cherniak
Czech Republic
Sir Christopher Pissarides
Cyprus
Mr. Kevin Mudd
Cyprus
Mr. Christos Yiallourides
Cyprus
Mr. Kyriacos Michaelides
Cyprus
Mr. Christos Symeou
Cyprus
Mr. Kyriakos Chrysochos
Cyprus
Mr. Christos Taliadoros
Cyprus
Mr. Lazaros Omirou
Cyprus
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Messios
Name
Country
Name
Country
Mr. Leandros Papaphilippou
Cyprus
Mr. Riccos Aniftos
Cyprus
Ms. Lena Flourenzou
Cyprus
Mr. Roman Rodionov
Russia
Mr. Leonid Lavrentiev
Cyprus
Mr. Sakis Papaspyrou
Cyprus
Mr. Libor Krkoska
Cyprus
Mr. Savvas Liasis
Cyprus
Mr. Loucas Toumazi
Cyprus
Mr. Savvas Poyiadjis
Switzerland
Mrs. Louiza Papageorhiou
United Kingdom
Mr. Sergei Korneev
Cyprus
Mrs. Lyra Amvrosidou
Cyprus
Mr. Sergey Gorskiy
Cyprus
Mrs. Margarita Maksimenkova
Cyprus
Mr. Sergey Kydriavskiy
Cyprus/Russia
Mrs. Margarita Matevosyans
Turkmenistan
Mr. Sergey Potapov
Cyprus
Mrs. Maria Clappa
Cyprus
Mr. Sergey Stolyarov
Cyprus
Mrs. Marina Constantinou
Cyprus
Mr. Sergey Korolev
Russia
Mrs. Marina Mishenkina
Singapore
Mr. Socrates Fekkas
Cyprus
Mr. Mark Rhodes
UK
Mr. Soterios Economou
Cyprus
Mrs. Martha Talashi
UAE
Mr. Stathis Lemis
Cyprus
Mr. Maxim Krohotin
Belarus
Mr. Stefan Bakh
Russia
Mr. Michael Dosta
Belarus/Cyprus
Mr. Stelios Orphanides
Cyprus
Mr. Michael Shcherbachenko
Russia
Mr. Stevan Kovacevic
Serbia
Mr. Michael Valeras
Cyprus
Mrs. Svetlana Kalogera
Cyprus
Mr. Mikhail Nazarychev
Russia
Mrs. Tatiana Kyriakidou
Cyprus
Mr. Mira Agni
Cyprus
Mr. Theodore Theoharis
United Kingdom
Mrs. Natalia Sudakova
Cyprus
Mr. Thomas Kazakos
Cyprus
Mrs. Natalija Bilkova
Cyprus
Mr. Valeriy Romanyuk
Russia
Mr. Nicolas Yiannakas
Cyprus
Mr. Vasilis Polemitis
Cyprus
Mr. Nicolay Chepurin
Russia
Mr. Vassos Argyrides
Cyprus
Mr. Nicos Kyriakides
Cyprus
Mrs. Vicky Nemitsas Xitas
Cyprus
Mr. Nicos Michaelas
Cyprus
Mr. Victor Ioannides
Cyprus
Mr. Nikita Matevosyans
Turkmenistan
Mr. Victor Velichko
Cyprus/Russia
Mr. Nikolay Matveev
Cyprus
Mr. Victor Zorkin
Cyprus/Russia
Mrs. Nina Strikalova
Russia
Ms. Victoria Ksenodohkova
Cyprus
Mr. Odysseas Melikides
Cyprus
Mr. Vladimir Zrazhewsky
Cyprus
Mr. Oleksii Kalachov
Cyprus
Mr. Volodymyr Cherniak
Czech Republic
Mrs. Olga Bodina
Cyprus
Mrs. Xenia Kalogirou
Cyprus
Mrs. Olga Dedova
Cyprus
Mrs. Yianna Eleftheriou
Cyprus
Mrs. Olga Kakouri
Cyprus
Mr. Yiannos Trisokkas
Cyprus
Mrs. Oxana Oleynik
Cyprus
Dr. Yuriy Titovets
Ukraine
Mr. Pantelis Leptos
Cyprus
Mr. Yuriy Pianykh
Cyprus
Mr. Pavel Gurin
Russia
Mrs. Yvonne Tsanos
Cyprus
Mr. Pavel Shadrin
Russia
Mr. Zacharias Ioannides
Cyprus
Mr. Philip Ammerman
United Kingdom
Mr. Zakhar Kirilenko
Cyprus
Mr. Philipos Georgiou
Cyprus
Mr. Philippe Kenis
Luxembourg
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INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CONFERENCE PROGRAM - 2015 Monday, October 19
08:15 – 08:45 08:50 – 09:15
Registration. Morning coffee. Official Opening Ceremony by Mr. Andreas Christou, Mayor of Limassol. Moderators of the Conference: Mrs. Natalia Kardash, Editor in Chief, Successful Business and Mr. Philip Ammerman, Managing Partner of Navigator Consulting Group.
09:15 – 11:00
Plenary session I Investment and Growth Perspectives in Cyprus. This session will review the current status of Cyprus’ economic recovery and the prospect for investment-led growth. Cyprus Economy in Transition. HE Mr. Constantinos Petrides, Deputy Minister to the President of Cyprus. The Economic Outlook for Cyprus. Sir Christopher Pissarides, Chairman, National Economic Council, Cyprus. Privatisations in Cyprus. Mr. Constantinos Herodotou, State Commissioner on Privatisations. New Frameworks for Investment Management in Cyprus. Mr. Constantinos Messios, Director, CD Messios LLC. Strengthening Investment Regulation in Cyprus. Mrs. Demetra Kalogerou, Chairwoman, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. Outlook for the Cyprus Shipping Sector. Mr. Thomas Kazakos, Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Panel Discussion.
11:00 – 11:20
Coffee Break.
11:20 – 12:55
Plenary Session II New Sources of Finance and Prospects of Investments. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Dr. Libor Krkoska, Head of Office, Cyprus.
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Recent improvement of investment climate in Cyprus. Vladimir Zrazhewsky, Deputy CEO, RCB Bank, Cyprus. Investment Prospects and Investor Protection in Cyprus. Mr. Andreas Sofocleous, CEO, A. Sofocleous & Co LLC. International Investment Funds in Cyprus. Mr. Angelos Gregoriades, President, Cyprus Investment Funds Association. Private Equity. Mr. Alexander Shkuratov, Managing Director, Pride Capital. Venture Capital and Angel Investing in Cyprus. Mr. Andreas Koupparis, President, Cyprus Business Angels Network. New Prospects of ICIFs in Cyprus. Mr. Dmitry Morozov, Chairman, CYPV Group.
12:55 – 14:00
Panel Discussion. Lunch Break, Four Seasons Garden Restaurant.
14:00 – 15:30
Thematic Sessions and Discussions Property Investments Presentation on the latest developments in the EU and Cyprus property sector, including completed transactions, sources of investment, Immovable Property Tax, title deeds, non-performing housing loans and foreclosures and mortgage and price data. Renewable Energy Investments Presentation of latest developments in renewable energy in Cyprus, including feed in tariffs, licensing, available projects, tax structures and financing. Tourism Investments Presentation of recent investments in hotels and other tourism properties in Cyprus, including trends in hotel investments, prices, occupancy, arrivals, etc. Technology Investments Presentation of latest investments in the high technology sector in Cyprus, including start-ups and new ventures.
15:30 – 16:00
Plenary Session III Presentation of Investment Migration Council, an International organization that unites those who work in citizenship by investment sphere. Keynote presentation by Mr. Bruno L’ecuyer, CEO, Investment Migration Council.
16:00 – 17:00
Closing Plenary Session Economic Development Strategy in Cyprus and Europe. HE Mr. George Vassiliou, former President of Cyprus. HE Mr. Harris Georgiades, Minister of Finance of Cyprus.
19:30 – 22:00
Informal Dinner: an opportunity of networking and communication. The Garden Restaurant, Limassol.
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Next conference
16-17 october 2016 limassol / cyprus
For registration please contact Irina Patsalidou tel. 25 590530, 97 745594 e-mail: ip@vkcyprus.com www.bestcyprusbusiness.com