Cyprus biggest commercial exhibition opens today, running until next weekend
AS THE 31st Cyprus International State Fair opens its gates today, the authority responsible for managing the site has announced grand plans to upgrade the area into a large conference and exhibition centre.
With the participation of more than 350 exhibitors and the presentation of products and services by 1,500 companies from Cyprus and 25 other countries, the State Fair will be open until June 4.
“The 31st Cyprus International Fair will be highlighting the achievements of business activity as a whole,” Chairman of the Cyprus State Fairs Authority (CSFA), Loris Tryfon, said last week.
The official national participations in the fair are from Egypt, France, Greece, America, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, Poland, Romania and Syria. Malaysia is a first-time participant.
Further, for the second year running it will be welcoming the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, which will be hosting 20 exhibitors.
In the Bazaar, which has by now established its success, companies from Greece, Malaysia, Spain, Syria, Egypt and Singapore will have a direct participation.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet a number of exhibitors and see the latest products and services on the market.
“This year, we anticipate more than 130,000 visitors,” said Tryfon.
He also spoke of the authority’s aim of creating a conference and exhibition centre, fit to rival equivalent establishments in other European countries.
The CSFA recently announced their primary goal is to create EXPO-CYPRUS, a contemporary Conference and Exhibition Centre, with wide-ranging and modern technological equipment on a par with equivalent competitive destinations.
“EXPO-CYPRUS will incorporate the creation of an entirely contemporary Conference Centre with the capacity of accommodating 1,000 attendees in an amphitheatrical arrangement, equipped with the latest technological innovations, break out rooms for another thousand attendees, a comfortable foyer, a cafeteria and restaurants”.
According to Tryfon, the centre will be constructed in a way that will provide safety to official VIP visitors. “It (the centre) will be vital for hosting conferences and meetings of state leaders, ministers and other committees and organisations of the European Union and other countries.”
But to take things from the beginning, when the CSFA was relocated to its present grounds 30 years ago, it became the owner of the largest exhibition centre in Cyprus, having at its disposal 30,000 square metres of indoor space and 10,000 square metres of outdoor exhibition area in a total of 264,000 square metres of greenery. It also offers a parking space to accommodate 2,500 cars.
It also incorporates a Multipurpose Complex Hall providing contemporary facilities, such as cafeterias and a restaurant, with a capacity of holding conferences and events for 1,200 attendees.
“It is with these resources that the CSFA has been operating for the past thirty years as the official and most dynamic exhibition organiser in our country,” explained Tryfon.
A strategic planning study amply demonstrated the need to upgrade and revitalise the Authority’s Exhibition and Conference area, both regarding spatiality, condition of constructions, infrastructure and equipment as well as the need to incorporate complementary enterprises in the 264,000 square metres of unused area.
“The State Fairs Authority Conference Centre must be expanded to meet the needs that arose from Cyprus’ accession to the EU, the promotion of conference tourism, the needs of Nicosia as a capital and Cyprus in general,” said the authority head.
Through coordinated efforts, he continued, Cyprus will be able to enter the International Conference and Exhibition Organisers’ Map as it meets the most basic and necessary prerequisites: “a fine and healthy climate, the innate hospitality and friendly predisposition of the Cypriots, an educated personnel, quality catering and entertainment services and, the most important asset, the safety and security provided by Cyprus as a destination.”
The Cyprus State Fair
Until June 4. At the State Fair grounds in Engomi. Opening times: 6pm until 11pm on weekdays and 6pm to midnight on Saturdays. £3 for adults and £1 for students.
Entrance is free for holders of a multi-member family pass and a five-member family pass, soldiers in uniform, press members upon presentation of press pass and foreign visitors/purchasers visiting the fair in organised groups
