1. Launching conference
Toulouse, 9th of February 2012

2. Presentation of Larnaca District
Development Agency, Cyprus
Mr. Michalis Zanos
Mr Constantinos Kareklas

3. Larnaca District Development
Agency at a glance
1. The Larnaca District Development Agency (ANETEL) is a non-profit
organization formed in 2003 in the models of the development
structures and mechanisms that function in the European Union. The
status of the Agency is: Public Equivalent Body.
2. Its actions are especially in the district of Larnaca, Cyprus. The
Larnaca District Development Agency represents all the 6
Municipalities of the district of Larnaca, almost all the 45 free
Communities of the district of Larnaca, the local Commercial
Industrial Chamber of Larnaca, the Women Association of Rural
Larnaca, some Cooperative Organizations of the district of Larnaca,
the Union of Communities of Larnaca (in which members are all the
Community Boards of the district of Larnaca), Municipalities and
Communities of the free District of Famagusta and KENTHEA-the
centre for prevention of drugs etc .
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4. Larnaca at a glance
Population (inhabitants) 143.367
Surface area (km2) 1.050 Km2
Density (inhabit./ km2) 136,5/km2
% rural population 58,9%
GNP per capita(Cyprus1) 20,972.5
1. Cyprus is considered as 1 Region by the E.U., so the GNP is not calculated
by district.
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5. The most important issues/ stakes
in the region/ country regarding rural
development
1. Monetary motivations, such as economic subsidies are not
enough to keep people in Rural Areas.
2. Ageing rural population, low education levels in rural
areas, little scientific research in the field of agriculture,
limited and highly fragmented agricultural land (that
mainly cause problems to the less competitive products of
Cyprus - olive oil, wine products, et.c.) constitute the most
significant challenges towards Rural Development.
3. Climate conditions in rural areas favor the production of
Mediterranean products, the existence of high-quality
facilities in specific farming sectors and the positive impact
of buoyant tourism activity over most of the year. This acts
as a demand factor for the production and consumption of
agricultural products which is a boost towards Rural
Economy and Development.
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6. Existing policies regarding rural
development
 Cyprus Rural Development Policy
2007-2013:
• Improve the competitiveness of the
agricultural and agri-food sector.
• Sustainable use of natural resources and
landscape conservation.
• Improve the quality of life of the rural
population and encouraging diversification
of the rural economy.
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7. 1. The Rural Tourism Grant Scheme
• To encourage investment by Small and Medium
Enterprises in mild forms of business tourism,
focusing on enhancement and enrichment of the
cultural and environmental assets of rural areas to
complement or strengthen the occupations of
residents and increase their income.
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8. Activities/ projects already
implemented in rural development
 Program "LEADER +" for the development of the agro-
tourism and the standardization of local traditional
products.
 Program INTERREG III B Archimed -"M.I.D.A", which
aimed to develop a network to promote the support of rural
areas development. Web page: www.midaproject.eu
 Promotion of the “Program for the Rural Development
2007-2013” of the Republic of Cyprus and provision of
consulting services to the shareholders of the Agency,
organizations and citizens of the district of Larnaca, in
order to make good use of the Program.
 PHILOXENIA – Med Program:“Implementation of a
common operational mechanism for the reception of
activities in Mediterranean rural areas”.
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9. Larnaca District Development
Agency in GRISI PLUS and its
expectations
1. Identify and transfer good practises established in
other regions regarding Urban Development.
2. Improve the effectiveness and enriching economic
development policies in rural areas by increasing the
use of geographical information and geomatics tools.
3. Development of the attractiveness of rural territories to
attract new inhabitants.
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10. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
PATIENCE
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11. Contact Details:
Address: 1, Laras str, 7040, Voroclini,
Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel.: 00 357 24 815280
Fax: 00 357 24 636817
Email: anetel@cytanet.com.cy
Web site: www.anetel.com
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