Cyprus firms urged to tap EU trade agreements

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) on Friday released a statement highlighting the importance of the Cyprus Market Access Day (MAD) 2026 in strengthening the internationalisation of Cypriot enterprises and improving access to global markets.

The chamber said the event underscored the need for practical support and targeted guidance to help businesses expand internationally and navigate trade barriers.

The event took place on Thursday in Limassol and was organised by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry and the European Commission DG Trade and Economic Security, in close cooperation with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel).

Addressing the event, president of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Stavros Stavrou stressed that for a small and open economy such as Cyprus, international trade engagement is a necessity and a key pillar of growth and resilience.

“The international trade activity of businesses is a necessity and a fundamental pillar of growth and resilience for a small and open economy such as Cyprus,” the chamber said.

He also highlighted the importance of European trade policy as a framework of stability and predictability, stressing that its real value lies in how effectively EU trade agreements are utilised in practice, particularly by small and medium-sized enterprises.

“The real value of EU trade agreements is judged by the extent to which they can be effectively utilised in practice, especially by SMEs,” the chamber added.

Welcoming participants, president of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry Andreas Tsouloftas said that Limassol plays a pivotal role in outward-oriented economic development.

“There is a strong need to enhance information, guidance and the utilisation of available European tools for businesses to penetrate new markets, despite the growing challenges of the international environment,” the chamber said.

In his address, Trade Minister Michael Damianos underlined the importance of close cooperation between the state, European institutions and the business community, stressing that initiatives such as Market Access Day bring European trade policy closer to businesses.

“Such initiatives bring European trade policy closer to businesses, offering meaningful and practical support to understand and address real trade challenges,” the chamber said.

The event featured two thematic panel discussions, reflecting both the strategic and practical dimensions of international trade.

The first panel, titled geoeconomics and the future of EU trade policy, focused on analysing international and geopolitical developments and the role of European trade policy in strengthening competitiveness and resilience.

The second panel examined the utilisation of EU free trade agreements by businesses, focusing on practical experience, benefits and the obstacles companies face in their implementation.

In addition, European Commission officials delivered targeted presentations outlining specific EU tools such as the Access2Markets portal and the Single Entry Point, as well as the broader benefits of free trade agreements.

These presentations provided practical guidance for addressing trade barriers and strengthening the export activity of businesses.

At the same time, officials from the European Commission, alongside representatives from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, carried out on-site visits to member companies in Limassol.

The visits included Pambos Pavlou Offset Printers and D. Ellinas Factory Products Ltd, both of which maintain strong international trade activity.

The aim of these visits was the direct exchange of views and the recording of issues and challenges faced by Cypriot businesses in international markets.

“The Cyprus Market Access Day 2026 confirmed the role of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a key institutional link between the business community, national authorities and European trade policy,” the chamber stated.

“It contributes substantially to strengthening the competitiveness and international presence of Cypriot businesses,” the chamber concluded.