The Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EVEL) has criticised the limited number of development projects allocated to Limassol in the 2027 state budget, particularly the absence of funding for major road infrastructure aimed at addressing the city's worsening traffic congestion.
The chamber and Limassol's municipalities are scheduled to meet next Tuesday to coordinate their response and consider next steps, with protest action not being ruled out.
Chamber criticises project delays
Speaking to Politis, EVEL President Andreas Tsouloftas expressed strong dissatisfaction over what he described as the continued delay of projects that have already reached a mature planning stage but remain stalled at the Ministry of Finance.
According to Tsouloftas, once planning is completed, new requirements continue to emerge, the latest being the preparation of viability studies.
He argued that while the European threshold for such studies is around €50 million, Cyprus has set the limit at €15 million, creating additional obstacles.
Tsouloftas questioned how projects worth hundreds of millions of euros are progressing in other districts, pointing to a €140 million motorway project in Nicosia as an example.
He added that viability studies can take up to 18 months to complete and cost around €100,000, while construction costs continue to rise during that period.
Northern bypass highlighted
Tsouloftas cited Evagora Laniti Avenue, part of Limassol's planned northern bypass, as an example of the difficulties facing infrastructure projects.
He said additional demands by government departments for flood protection works had significantly increased costs, leading to calls for a viability study and requests for the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA) to cover expenses that were previously the responsibility of the state.
"We have been promised the northern bypass for 20 years," he said.
He also questioned how larger projects, including the new Limassol Museum and the redevelopment of Aktea Road, could be funded when authorities appear unwilling to move ahead with roads that are widely acknowledged as an immediate necessity.
Traffic concerns affecting businesses
Tsouloftas made particular reference to the impact of traffic congestion on business activity.
He revealed that major companies are seriously reconsidering whether to remain based in Limassol because of transport difficulties.
According to him, some employees need up to one and a half hours to take and collect their children from school each day.
The EVEL president also recalled development projects worth hundreds of millions of euros announced by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Laniteio two years ago, arguing that it is the government's responsibility to ensure those projects progress to implementation.
Limassol allocated just 3.8% of projects
In a statement, EVEL said that only three projects worth a combined €57 million concern Limassol out of a total list of projects valued at €1.5 billion.
According to the chamber, this represents just 3.8% of all projects included in the budget.
EVEL argues that the allocation demonstrates a disproportionate distribution of public investment and fails to reflect Limassol's contribution to the national economy.
Call for infrastructure funding
The chamber has called on the government to urgently review the budget and make specific commitments towards modern infrastructure projects.
It warned that the current situation is undermining both the competitiveness of businesses and the quality of life of residents.
