President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, met in New York with Jason Rekate, Head of Corporate Banking at Citi, and held an extensive discussion on the global services offered by the financial institution and the potential for an expanded and more multifaceted presence of its operations in Cyprus, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.

In a post on X, Letymbiotis noted that Citi is one of the largest financial institutions globally and, in this context, "there was an extensive reference to the services provided by @Citi, as well as the prospects for further and more multifaceted activity in Cyprus."

>>The Stakes of the Cypriot Government’s Visit to the United States<<

During the discussion, Letymbiotis added, the government reaffirmed its firm commitment to maintaining a strong and reliable banking system, full compliance with international standards on transparency and sanctions, and its clear political will to attract strategic partners who will contribute to the Republic of Cyprus's continued economic development. This comes at a time when the steady upward trajectory of the Cypriot economy supports the conditions for attracting high-quality investment.

President Christodoulides also met in the United States with Richard Mashaal and Brian Gonick, Founder and Chief Investment Officers of Senvest Management.

According to Government Spokesman Letymbiotis, Senvest’s presence in Cyprus, with a broad portfolio of activities and long-standing experience in global markets, reflects its confidence in the resilience and prospects of the Cypriot banking sector, as well as the broader business environment.

He added that the Senvest leadership acknowledged the positive developments in the Cypriot economy, marked by consistent growth, which contribute to creating favorable conditions for attracting quality investments.

During the discussion, President Christodoulides reaffirmed Cyprus’s commitment to robust compliance mechanisms for preventing and combating money laundering, and the implementation of international sanctions.

“Adherence to these high standards of transparency and security further enhances Cyprus’ reputation as a trustworthy financial center,” Letymbiotis noted.

The possibility of expanding Senvest’s investment activities into other sectors of the Cypriot economy was also discussed. “The variety and dynamism of investment opportunities in our country offer fertile ground for growth and further strengthen Cyprus’ image as an attractive destination for long-term investments,” he concluded.

On the same day, President Christodoulides held a meeting with the Dean of Columbia Business School, Costis Maglaras.

According to a post by Government Spokesman Letymbiotis on X, the meeting was an opportunity for a substantive exchange of views regarding the strengthening of cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and world-class academic institutions, as well as the countervailing advantages for investment in the areas of innovation and services.

The deepening of relations with a university such as Columbia Business School, internationally renowned for its academic excellence, aligns with the government’s strategy to position Cyprus as a hub for education and the development of innovation and research in the region. This strategy also leverages Cyprus’s geostrategic location and the high calibre of its human capital, Letymbiotis concluded.

Meanwhile, the strategic advantages of Cyprus will be presented at the 3rd Capital Link Cyprus Business Forum, taking place at the Metropolitan Club in New York on Friday. The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, will deliver the keynote address.

According to the official announcement, the forum is organised in collaboration with the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, supported by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping of the Republic of Cyprus and Invest Cyprus. It aims to promote an open dialogue about the country’s business and investment landscape, showcasing Cyprus’ competitiveness on the global stage.

Speakers include Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou; Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nikodimos Damianou; and Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis.

The announcement notes that Cyprus’ strategic location, business-friendly environment, access to international markets, and emerging industries have positioned it as a key hub for financial services, energy, logistics, shipping, and technology — making it an increasingly attractive destination for global entrepreneurs and investors.

Recent upgrades to Cyprus’ credit rating further send a strong signal to international investors and the business community that the country offers a stable, reliable, and competitive economic environment.

“The government’s commitment to sustainable growth, fiscal discipline, and ongoing reforms strengthens investor confidence,” the statement notes.

The forum aims to raise Cyprus’ profile among the international investment and business community and highlight its growing role as a hub for economic activity and foreign investment. It will also offer exclusive insight into Cyprus’ strategic position as a gateway for investment into Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, as well as key economic reforms and initiatives that attract international capital.

The country’s role in regional energy developments and global financial markets will be a key part of the discussion, as will Cyprus’ competitive advantages as a shipping centre. These include a strong, flexible, and efficient maritime cluster, and growing communities of shipowners and ship management firms.

Public officials from Cyprus and representatives from the private sector will attend the forum, discussing critical issues such as security and stability, energy, cybersecurity, banking and finance, and shipping.

As part of the Capital Link Cyprus Business Forum, Safe Bulkers, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will host a reception and special ceremony at the NYSE in honour of Cypriot Polys Hajioannou, Chairman and CEO of SAFE BULKERS, INC., with the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides.

President Christodoulides is scheduled to ring the NYSE closing bell, a ceremony broadcast live by major news networks in the United States and abroad, reaching an estimated audience of 150 million viewers worldwide.