The island's strategic location has been a major factor in shaping its history throughout the centuries and, in recent years, its development into a centre for international business. Cyprus offers to entrepreneurs, investors and shipowners a unique basket of advantages for the conduct of their affairs worldwide.
The island's excellent infrastructure, English legal system, high quality of life and low cost of living, combined with its well educated labour force, good industrial relations and generous tax incentives create an ideal business environment.

Since 1975 non-residents have established more than 1.000 companies for the investment of capital locally, over 20.000 companies for the management of their overseas affairs and more than 10.000 companies for the registration of ships under the Cypriot flag. The authorities have implemented simple administrative procedures in order to expedite matters concerning foreign entrepreneurs, reflecting the importance Cyprus places in developing its potential as an international business centre.

Attracting foreign capital has always been among the primary objectives of the country's development policy as it contributes to, among other things the introduction of high technology and increased export prospects.
Cyprus offers numerous advantage and incentives to the foreign investor.
The constitution guarantees the right of private property while it does not discriminate between Cypriots and non-Cypriots. Nationalization has never been part of government policy, nor is it contemplated in the future.
Furthermore, Cyprus is a signatory to the Convention for the Settlement of Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States and to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Agreement.

The island's strategic location has been a major factor in shaping its history throughout the centuries and, in recent years, its development into a centre for international business. Cyprus offers to entrepreneurs, investors and shipowners a unique basket of advantages for the conduct of their affairs worldwide.
The island's excellent infrastructure, English legal system, high quality of life and low cost of living, combined with its well educated labour force, good industrial relations and generous tax incentives create an ideal business environment.

The island has proved to be an ideal centre for the establishment of legal entities by foreign shipowners and other professionals for the conduct of maritime activities and for the rendering of shipping services worldwide. In 1982 Cyprus ranked thirty-second on the list of leading maritime nations. It now ranks fourth with around 2.650 ships totalling over 5 million gross tonnage. The island's maritime policy aims to develop an integrated shipping infrastructure through the granting of appropriate incentives.