Issues related to human resources, energy costs, the connectivity of Cyprus, tax transformation and the strengthening of the country's outward-looking approach were raised at the roundtable discussion President Nikos Christodoulides had with the business community, on Thursday evening at the Presidential Palace.

The event was part of the government's policy for a continuous dialogue with entrepreneurs, aiming to improve the business climate and enhance the competitiveness and extroverted nature of the Cypriot economy, a presidency press release said late on Thursday.

Eleven Ministers and Deputy Ministers as well as other officials and civil servants took part in the roundtable discussion. On behalf of the business community, 50 businessmen, representatives from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE), Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB), Cyprus Confederation of Professional Craftsmen and Shopkeepers (POVEK) and the Cyprus Bankers Association attended the event.

In his introductory remarks, President Christodoulides noted that the aim of the meeting was to discuss ways to further support the business community. He added that the government alone cannot achieve optimal results and therefore cooperation between the public and private sectors is necessary.

With today's event, he noted, an established dialogue with the business community is being launched, with the aim of making the most of the experience and know-how of the country's productive forces and the government's direct response to the real needs of business.

During the conversation that followed, the challenges facing the business community were raised and suggestions for measures and reforms to address them were discussed, the press release added.

In particular, the discussion addressed, among other things, issues related to human resources, energy costs, Cyprus' connectivity, tax transformation and the strengthening of the country's outward-looking approach.

Views were also exchanged on strategies to strengthen sectors that present a high added value for the economy, the press release concluded.