TRADE and Industry Minister George Lillikas yesterday denied that there were “scandalous” incentives in the government’s proposal for the creation of golf courses, as claimed by reports in the media.
“The opinion of any journalist or analyst is respected, but the term ‘scandalous’ not only shows a lack of restraint, but has nothing to do with reality,” Lillikas said.
Daily Politis yesterday reported that with proposed incentives, the government was putting millions of pounds into the pockets of certain entrepreneurs who planned to build golf courses.
The proposal increased the incentives compared to the ones tabled before the Cabinet on July 28, the daily said.
Among others, it doubles the land around the courses which is allocated for housing or tourist development, while it gave the developers the right not to operate a golf course altogether, Politis said.
The initial incentives submitted before the Cabinet provided for fewer benefits. However, they prompted the reaction of ecological groups and the technical chamber, which charged that hundreds of millions of pounds were being given away to developers.
While everyone expected the ministerial committee that studied the issue to reduce the incentives, it “scandalously increased the number of beds, while allowing them to abandon the golf courses and to rid themselves of maintenance and operation costs,” Politis said.
Lillikas yesterday defended the government decision and argued that the report was unfounded.
“Like all governments in all countries of the world, Cypriot governments too give incentives for development, be it for tourist, industrial or technological development, and such incentives are also proposed for the golf courses; nothing more, nothing less,” the minister said.
He added: “The whole analysis I have read is completely unfounded and it is the same people who personally accused me of sharing out millions to certain entrepreneurs.
“Now they say that the new proposal by the ministerial committee is more generous and they felt relieved when the Cabinet asked to study the matter further.”
Lillikas said five doctors were participating in the preparation of the proposals as well as six state agencies.
“Some respect to the dignity and honesty of all these people would not do any harm,” the minister said.
The committee met last week for an initial assessment of the proposal and will meet again next week, the minister said.
When the proposal is ready it will be presented to the House Commerce Committee and then submitted to the Cabinet, he added.
