The degree of adoption of the development projects of the Communication Ministry in 2010 reached 90% compared to 78% in 2009 and 66% in 2008, when crisis first showed up in Cyprus.

The development projects for 2011 have the same dynamic. According to the figures presented by Communications Minister, Erato Marcoulli, they have recorded an increase of 9.4% compared to 2010.

This year’s development budget stands at €111 million against €101 million in 2010.

The Ministry’s total budget for 2011 stands at €214 million compared to €204 million in 2010.

During a press conference, Manager of the Public Works Department, Alecos Michaelides outnumbered the main urban planning projects that are under construction with a total cost of €81.2 million in the budget for 2011.

“Those projects include the Urban Planning building the cost of which stands €5.2 million and the building for the Presidency of €10.5 million, which is expected to be ready by 2012, when Cyprus will undertake the EU rotating presidency.

The projects that are under construction are the six-lane project at the entrance of Nicosia of €12.1 million, the improvement of the existing roads of €7.5 million, the by-pass of Kalo Chorio and Zoopigi of €3.8 million, the Kellaki and Eptagonia road and the Platres-Prodromos road of €4 million and €1.5 million respectively.

Some of them are also the GSP intersection (€6m), the vertical – to the Limassol port – road (€15m), the Lemithou-Prodromos road (€2m) and the Archangelos Avenue (€8m).

The Zygi Fishing Shelter of €1.5 million and the project for the protection of the Kato Pyrgos coast of €4.1 million are also in progress.

The budget 2011 includes €19.2 million for the maintenance of roads.