CYPRUS yesterday pledged to grant visas to Indian citizens in 24 hours, and introduce a multiple-entry four-year visa for Indian investors.
The pledge was made by President Tassos Papadopoulos, who is on a five-day official visit to India.
In addition to ceremonial events, the Cypriot delegation got down to business with Indian entrepreneurs during a meeting organised by the Indian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
“We want to invest heavily in research, technology and innovation. We can think of no better country to turn to, especially in the area of information technology,” Papadopoulos said.
Already, 34 companies from New Delhi have shown an interest in investing in Cyprus, and 150 more, based in Bombay, will meet the Cypriot delegation.
“We will introduce a faster way in issuing visas for Indian citizens in 24 hours. We will also introduce a multiple-entry visa for Indian investors that would last four years. And finally we shall introduce the ‘one stop shop’, a new service in the Ministry of Commerce, that would allow foreign investors to register their companies and get all necessary licences in just seven days,” Papadopoulos said after the meeting.
He also said that foreign companies in Cyprus could have access to European Union funding for research and innovation, as well as state grants.
Papadopoulos and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to set up a committee to review areas of further co-operation between the two countries.
To initiate the co-operation, they decided to release a set of stamps depicting facets of the Indian and Cypriot cultures.
Papadopoulos also met his Indian counterpart Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace in New Delhi yesterday.
He told reporters his visit was a testament to his great respect for India.
Later, Papadopoulos visited the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, where he laid a wreath and signed the visitors’ book.
“Gandhi’s great inside power, his support for non-violence and passive resistance, is the biggest form of heroism for all those people who care for peace, freedom and vindication. May his soul rest in the peace of death, offered by the knowledge of justice,” Papadopoulos said.
He also said that Cyprus supported India’s application for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
“India’s presence in the UN justifies and qualifies it to become a permanent member,” he said.
