Gold Magazine April - May 2013, Issue 25 | Page 9

Pissarides meets Essex University alumni Shipping Remains in Cyprus and Supports the Economy T he Board of Directors of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) held an official meeting with the Minister of Communications & Works, Tasos Mitsopoulos, on 2 April 2013. During the meeting, the Minister was briefed about the operational problems faced by shipping companies, as a result of the current situation of the Cyprus economy following the 24 March agreement reached with the Eurogroup. There followed a discussion on measures that will allow shipping companies in Cyprus to continue to operate normally and provide significant support to the economy. Laiki Bank customers in UK p escaeve l y Following a proposal by the Chamber, it was decided to initiate a joint promotional campaign on the shipping companies’ commitment to remain in Cyprus and the advantages of Cyprus as a reliable and competitive maritime centre. The Minister stressed the importance attached by the new government to the local shipping industry and thanked the CSC for the continuous support provided by the Cyprusbased shipping companies to the country’s economy. T housands of customers with funds in the UK arm of Cypriot bank Laiki will escape any levy on their accounts. The Bank of England’s new Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has announced that all those whose accounts are in credit will be automatically moved to Bank of Cyprus in the UK. This means that up to £85,000 of their deposits will be protected under the UK compensation scheme. But 15,000 Laiki customers with an estimated £270m in their accounts in the UK are being told their money is safe. On average, Laiki customers in the UK have £18,000 in their accounts. About 5% of customers have more than £85,000, according to Bank of Cyprus UK. Any money above that amount would not be guaranteed by the UK compensation scheme, but the Bank of England confirmed that all deposits had been moved to Bank of Cyprus UK. Jotun Cyprus opens new Limassol office J otun, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of decorative paints, marine, protective and powder coatings, has just opened its new office in Limassol. The event was attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to Greece and Cyprus, Sjur Larsen, and the President and CEO of Jotun A/S, Morten Fon. Products of the Jotun Group, which has 71 com- panies and 36 production facilities on all continents, are available in more than 90 countries through its own subsidiaries, joint ventures, agents, branch offices and distri